UNICEF Urges Immediate Support for 400,000 Displaced Children in Lebanon Amidst Escalating Conflict

BEIRUT: UNICEF has issued a call for urgent assistance to support over 400,000 children in Lebanon who have been displaced due to ongoing conflict and now face the harsh conditions of the approaching winter. The situation for these children, who have been left homeless or relocated, is becoming increasingly dire, prompting the international organization to seek immediate aid and protection for civilians and civil infrastructures. According to Kuwait News Agency, UNICEF's Deputy Executive Director, Ted Chaiban, highlighted the critical need for a ceasefire and protection of civilian areas during a meeting with Lebanese Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. The discussion, which also included World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director in Lebanon, Matthew Hollingworth, focused on addressing the urgent needs of the displaced population, including access to food, water, and sanitation facilities. Chaiban, emphasizing the severity of the situation, warned that the ongoing conflict, particularly the heavy bombar dment in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut by Israeli forces, is complicating relief efforts. These hostilities have already forced approximately 1.3 million people to seek refuge in safer areas. A recent attack by occupation warplanes on a remote mountain-top village in the north resulted in the deaths of 22 individuals, most of whom were displaced persons. In addition to the immediate calls for a ceasefire, Chaiban announced his participation in the upcoming Paris conference for Lebanon on October 24. The conference will focus on rallying international support and highlighting the critical needs of displaced persons in Lebanon. A joint statement from UNICEF and the WFP further stressed the need for "unlimited financial allocations" to ensure the continuation of aid and to pressure Israel to maintain open ports for the delivery of relief supplies. The WFP has prepared by stockpiling large quantities of food, enough to feed 200,000 people per day, and has also provided some cash assistance to the displaced. UNICEF teams are actively involved on the ground, delivering aid and providing psychological support to displaced children in various shelters across Lebanon. The organization is working closely with the Lebanese government to coordinate these relief efforts effectively.