Iraq is among the countries most severely impacted by climate change. Rising temperatures, water scarcity, and land degradation are threatening the lives and futures of millions especially the most vulnerable children and families. At World Vision Iraq, we recognise the urgency of this crisis. That’s why we are committed to increasing climate resilience and adaptation for the communities most affected. Through sustainable water solutions, climate-smart agriculture, and environmental restoration efforts, we are helping children and families build a more secure and hopeful future. On this World Environment Day, we invite you to listen to a special message from Eleanor Monbiot, Regional Leader for World Vision Middle East and Eastern Europe, as she highlights our shared responsibility to protect the environment and stand with those most at risk from climate change. #WorldEnvironmentDay #ClimateAction #GenerationRestoration #WorldVision #Iraq #ClimateResilience

In an era defined by the twin imperatives of environmental protection and economic resilience, one of the pertinent yet less explored questions is: Can we harness the power that is already around us? In East Asia, where both rural traditions and rapid modernisation coexist, the answer to this question is not only yes – it’s a solution waiting to get the needed acceleration.

Key findings

Following the second deadline for the cessation of hostilities on 18 February 2025, the country to the south of Lebanon withdrew from population centres in southern Lebanon while maintaining a military presence in five strategic locations along the Blue Line. Despite these developments, military tensions persisted, with reports of demolitions and shelling in border villages before and after the withdrawal, resulting in civilian casualties, raising the total number to 4,200 civilian deaths since the escalation. Meanwhile, protests erupted in Beirut, Bekaa, and Mount Lebanon between 14 and 16 February over internal political disputes, further heightening instability in the country. Humanitarian conditions remain critical, with 98,994 people still displaced outside their district of origin, while 950,652 have returned home despite extensive damage to infrastructure and limited access to essential services. Entire neighbourhoods, particularly in border villages, have been left in ruins due to sustained bombardments, with water networks, electricity grids, and medical facilities heavily damaged or rendered inoperable. Schools and hospitals have suffered significant destruction, depriving communities of essential healthcare and education services. Additionally, roads and bridges in affected areas remain impassable, further obstructing aid delivery and recovery efforts. Lebanon is also facing an increasing humanitarian burden due to the arrival of 89,400 people from Syria into Baalbek Governorate, including 20,000 returning Lebanese, further straining already overstretched resources. With fluctuating displacement trends and ongoing security challenges, the country remains in a fragile state, requiring sustained international support to stabilise affected communities, rehabilitate vital infrastructure, and ensure access to essential services for those in need.

Proving hope in the darkness - Lebanon's displaced find comfort

World Vision Middle East and Eastern Europe Regional Office (MEER) operates in some of the most complex and protracted crises globally, where long-standing conflicts and displacement intersect with persistent development challenges.

A report summarizing World Vision's efforts to listen to and include children's perspectives in organisational decision-making processes from local to national and international levels.

Early learning environments for children aged 3–6, even in the most resource-limited settings World Vision Education

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.

Over 32 million people face catastrophic hunger as a deepening crisis threatens lives, crisis deepens as urgent aid and global response lag behind.