In this issue of the West & Central Africa Newsletter, we highlight the remarkable progress accomplished across our programmes throughout the year 2024, looking back on the trials and celebrating the triumphs.

Over the month of October, World Vision provided humanitarian support to 53,000 people in 35 villages of the West Bank as part of our emergency response.

The weeks following the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon have focused on assessments of the high humanitarian needs and economic costs. The conflict has caused massive destruction, displacing nearly 1.2 million people, with 179,000 still unable to return home due to safety concerns, destroyed infrastructure, and limited access to essential services. Though the number of people in formal shelters has dropped to 6,600, the strain on local communities and infrastructure continues to be overwhelming. The hardest-hit areas include Nabatieh and Tyre, where families with young children and elderly members face prolonged displacement are grappling with severe water shortages, unreliable electricity, and damaged facilities.

In the last ten days, the conflict in Lebanon has seen intensified attacks across the country. On World Children’s Day, Lebanon mourned the tragic killing of 200 children since the escalation, underscoring the profound human cost of this crisis. Negotiations have resumed in an effort to reach a ceasefire. At the moment, no agreement has been confirmed, and hostilities continue unabated. Amid these negotiations, heavy bombings have escalated to unprecedented levels. Recent airstrikes targeted highly populated neighbourhoods without prior evacuation orders in central Beirut—Basta, Mar Elias, and Zokak el-Blat—areas sheltering internally displaced families. These strikes killed 48 people, injured over 150, and displaced hundreds of families for a second time. In southern Lebanon, entire villages have been destroyed, leaving critical infrastructure—water, sanitation, and electricity systems—completely inoperable. Heavy bombings in Tyre, Baalbek, Hermel and Beirut’s suburbs have further deepened the destruction. Economic and physical damages are now estimated at $8.5 billion, and even with a ceasefire, it will take at least a year of repairs before families can return home. Over 170,000 people face imminent job losses due to the destruction of infrastructure and livelihoods. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, as of 24 November, 3,754 people have been killed, including at least 230 children, and more than 15,626 have been injured.

To repsond to the humanitarian crisis affecting the West Bank, World Vision launched an emergency operation on the 13th of October 2023. Over the past year, we have collaborated with over 300 volunteers and 250 village councils to deliver life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable. To date, we have supported more than 233,000 people.

On behalf of World Vision staff from West and Central Africa, our Regional Leader, Carla Dominique Denizard, extends warm holiday greetings and heartfelt wishes for joy, peace, and hope this season.

World Vision has introduced a new training programme aimed at bolstering mental health support for adolescents in West Bank. This initiative marks the first time participants in the West Bank have been trained on the Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE) intervention, an innovative, evidence-based approach derived from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

After over two months of intense conflict and nearly a year of escalating hostilities, a ceasefire came into effect on 27 November at 04:00 local time, marking a pivotal moment for Lebanon. The agreement is rooted in implementing UN Resolution 1701 (2006), establishing a 60-day timeline for withdrawing forces from southern Lebanon and deploying Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) along the border. In the hours preceding the ceasefire, 26 November witnessed devastating airstrikes by the country to the south of Lebanon, causing significant destruction across multiple areas. Beirut was heavily impacted, particularly its central district and southern suburbs, leading to widespread panic. The Bekaa Valley suffered similar devastation, while Saida and the Rashidieh Palestinian refugee camp were targeted for the first time since October. Additionally, airstrikes severed the Aridah crossing between northern Lebanon and Syria, further isolating the country. Since the ceasefire, many displaced families have begun returning to their communities. However, these returns are fraught with challenges, as many encounter destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure, and limited access to basic services. Others remain unable to return due to safety concerns and access restrictions, particularly in southern Lebanon.

After over two months of intense conflict and nearly a year of escalating hostilities, a ceasefire came into effect on 27 November at 04:00 local time, marking a pivotal moment for Lebanon. The agreement is rooted in implementing UN Resolution 1701 (2006), establishing a 60-day timeline for withdrawing forces from southern Lebanon and deploying Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) along the border. In the hours preceding the ceasefire, 26 November witnessed devastating airstrikes by the country to the south of Lebanon, causing significant destruction across multiple areas. Beirut was heavily impacted, particularly its central district and southern suburbs, leading to widespread panic. The Bekaa Valley suffered similar devastation, while Saida and the Rashidieh Palestinian refugee camp were targeted for the first time since October. Additionally, airstrikes severed the Aridah crossing between northern Lebanon and Syria, further isolating the country. Since the ceasefire, many displaced families have begun returning to their communities. However, these returns are fraught with challenges, as many encounter destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure, and limited access to basic services. Others remain unable to return due to safety concerns and access restrictions, particularly in southern Lebanon.