BEIRUT, 28 February 2025 – The latest war in Lebanon has had a significant negative impact on children’s lives, with effects continuing to reverberate even after the ceasefire came into effect in November 2024, according to a new UNICEF report.

The devastating war forced children to flee their homes, damaged facilities providing essential services and inflicted physical and emotional wounds on children across the country.

“The war has taken a shocking toll on children, affecting almost every aspect of their lives - their health, their education and ultimately their futures,” said Akhil Iyer, UNICEF Representative in Lebanon. “Lebanon’s children need urgent support to heal, rebuild their lives, and survive the lasting impacts of this crisis”.

In a survey conducted by UNICEF in January 2025, 72 per cent of caregivers said their children were anxious or nervous during the war, and 62 per cent said they were depressed or sad. This represents a surge from pre-war data collected in 2023. While 8 in 10 caregivers said they have seen some improvement in their children’s mental health since the ceasefire, those who endured prolonged periods of traumatic stress could face lifelong health and psychological consequences.