World Children’s Day: Children and young people’s futures and well-being are at risk due to dire impact of climate change in the Middle East

The conflict in Lebanon, which escalated in late September, has intensified significantly over the past ten days, reaching unprecedented levels nationwide. In the south, 37 villages and around 200,000 homes have been destroyed, leaving thousands homeless and displaced to shelters across the country. In Beirut’s suburbs, relentless airstrikes have caused widespread destruction, with frequent evacuation orders. Despite the risks, many residents remain in their homes, and local markets, a key source of livelihoods, are still running.

Annual review of World Vision's Middle East Crisis Response impact figures, in Lebanon and West Bank

Lebanon Response Situation Report

Discover how anticipatory action initiatives in Lebanon are building resilience and reducing disaster risks through innovative projects and community-focused solutions.

Today, children in East Africa face an array of challenges. Conflict disrupts lives in Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan and Ethiopia, forcing families to flee their homes and depriving children of safety, stability, and access to education. Of particular concern, is the dire food insecurity in the region, occasioned by the polycrisis of conflict, climate change and economic hardship.

General overview Since October 2023, World Vision Lebanon has been responding to the devastating impacts of military escalations in Southern Lebanon. On 23 September, the conflict started to escalate quickly, its impact reaching the central part of Lebanon, including Bekaa and Beirut. Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reports that as of 26 October, nearly 2,672 people have been killed, including at least 155 children, and more than 12,468 have been injured. More than 1.2 million people have been directly affected and/or have been forced to flee from their homes for safety to other parts of the country. More than 191,692 internally displaced people (IDP), half of them women and more than 400,000 displaced children, have sought safety at one of the more than 1,097 temporary shelters set up in schools and other administrative buildings.

More than 8 million vulnerable children and families across East Asia were positively impacted by our programmes in 2022. Additionally, through our engagement with governments and advocacy networks, we contributed to 142 policy changes, creating a more positive enabling environment for 44 million vulnerable children to access their rights, harness opportunities, and achieve their potential. In response to the growing and complex challenges within East Asia, we are deepening our commitment to serve the most vulnerable girls and boys through a greater focus on building community resilience to climate change, addressing the impacts of migration and displacement on children, and working with partners to support policy and systems-level change.

Since October 2023, World Vision Lebanon has been responding to military escalations in Southern Lebanon, reaching 46,636 people, including 17,209 children. As the conflict intensified from 23 September 2024, its impact extended beyond Southern Lebanon to central regions, including Bekaa and Beirut, and so did our operations to meet the needs of affected families. By 16 October, over 2,367 people had been killed, 11,106 injured, and 1.2 million people have been directly affected and/or have been forced to flee from their homes for safety, many seeking refuge in temporary shelters. This situation report provides more details about our response to the escalating crisis in Lebanon

Since October 2023, World Vision Lebanon has been responding to military escalations in Southern Lebanon, reaching 46,636 people, including 17,209 children. As the conflict intensified from 23 September 2024, its impact extended beyond Southern Lebanon to central regions, including Bekaa and Beirut, and so did our operations to meet the needs of affected families. By 9 October, over 2,119 people had been killed, 10,019 injured, and 1.2 million displaced, many seeking refuge in temporary shelters. This situation report provides more details about our response to the escalating crisis in Lebanon