Beirut:Despite a ceasefire framework established in June 2026, hostilities have continued across southern Lebanon, leading to significant humanitarian challenges. Since March, ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of 261 children and injuries to 1,058 children, with nearly 330,000 people, including over 115,000 children, remaining displaced due to destroyed homes and unexploded ordnance, obstructing their return.
According to Relief Web, the humanitarian situation in Lebanon remained fragile in August and September, particularly in the districts of Nabatieh, Bent Jbeil, Marjaayoun, and Tyre, where recurrent airstrikes and artillery shelling have occurred. The Ministry of Public Health reported cumulative casualties reaching 4,386 killed and 12,413 injured by late September. Additionally, the conflict has impacted health workers, with 135 killed and 416 injured, and 17 hospitals have suffered damage.
The educational landscape has also been affected, with schools damaged or used as shelters, putting children's education and safety at risk. UNICEF has worked to mitigate these impacts by reaching over 590,000 children and women with primary healthcare, vaccinating 36,066 children, and providing water supply to over 354,000 people. The organization also launched the National Learning Recovery Programme, training about 10,000 teachers.
The situation remains dire for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, who face worsening socioeconomic conditions, food insecurity, and reliance on negative coping strategies like child labor. Lebanon also hosts approximately 231,000 Palestine refugees, many of whom live below the national poverty line and face significant employment barriers. The ongoing conflict and instability have exacerbated vulnerabilities for both refugees and host communities, with inadequate infrastructure and services, particularly in hard-to-reach areas in the South.
