Middle East Crisis
Children never start wars, but they always suffer the most.
As a humanitarian organisation that advocates for the rights of children everywhere, we are devastated and horrified by the ongoing conflict in Lebanon and Gaza.
Photo: Blast damage on the streets of Gaza. © Plan International / Fatem
Gaza is now on the brink of famine. Two million people, including a million children, are facing malnutrition and starvation. This horrific situation is entirely man-made and avoidable, and no conflict should have to come to this.
In Lebanon, 111,000 have been displaced since October 2023. Civilians, children, and families have been living in temporary shelters for almost a year with some children unable to continue their schooling.
It’s not too late to take action.
We urgently need your support to protect displaced children and families and help them receive the emergency support they need.
Protect children and families from this humanitarian catastrophe
Lebanon
As of 23 September, the escalation of violence in Lebanon has seen reports that 558 people have been killed and over 1,835 injured including children, women and paramedics in the strikes in southern Lebanon.
The cross-border attacks have seen over 111,000 people in Lebanon become displaced since October 2023 – living in temporary shelter for almost a year with millions of children unable to continue their schooling.
Children deserve to enjoy their childhood.
Overnight more people have been forced to flee their homes – stuck in their cars with their children whilst they desperately look for a safer place.
Gaza
Since the morning of 7 October 2023, the conflict has escalated with the number of casualties soaring past 40,000. Among the casualties, nearly half are children.
Children never start wars, but they always suffer the most because of them. And right now, northern Gaza has been described as ‘hell on earth’.
Homes, schools, hospitals, and churches are being destroyed. Hospitals are running out of supplies and fuel to run the generators.
Children, who make up half of Gaza’s population, and their families, do not have anywhere safe to go. They cannot flee outside Gaza. They are scared and are in-hiding, and running out of food, water and time.
Nothing can justify the killing and maiming of children. Act now.
Famine is imminent
Since the UN issued a stark warning in December 2023 that all 335,000 children under the age five in Gaza are at risk of severe malnutrition, and at high risk of dying from hunger, the situation has deteriorated drastically.
Famine is now imminent in northern Gaza. According to the IPC Partnership’s findings, the situation in Gaza is catastrophic. Famine is expected to occur between now and mid-May in northern Gaza and the rest of the Gaza Strip is at risk of famine. The entire population of the Gaza Strip is facing high levels of acute food insecurity.- Dr Unni Krishnan, Plan International’s Global Humanitarian Director
Families have been drinking unsafe water for months and women are forgoing food so that what little they have can go to their children. The health system completely collapsed amid disease outbreaks and severe injuries due to constant bombardment. At least 20 children have recently died from severe malnutrition, dehydration and related diseases.
Children will continue to die without urgent action. Help now.
Protecting children is our priority
Millions of children are being traumatised by this conflict. Many children have been orphaned and are at a high-risk of trafficking and violence. We are deeply concerned for the increased risks of physical and sexual violence faced by women and girls affected by this conflict.
Schools are closing in Lebanon, affecting 1.5 million children, while displaced families are seeking shelter in schools, many of which lack basic supplies. The situation mirrors the destruction seen in Gaza over the past year, with families uprooted and desperate for safety.
Children have a right to an education, free from the threat of violence.
We need to provide humanitarian assistance to the increasing numbers of displaced children to help protect them. Will you help?
Photo: Hot meal being prepared for delivery by our local partner Taawon . © Taawon Welfare Association
Donate to protect children in the line of fire
How Plan International is responding
Our Plan International offices in the Middle East are rapidly scaling up their responses in Lebanon. We are responding by providing food, water, and first aid kits to displaced families and children.
Plan International Lebanon are working in close coordination with UN agencies as more than 200,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been forced to move from South Lebanon to Mount Lebanon. They are residing in over 200 evacuation centres, mainly schools. Our focus is ensuring that their basic needs are met through the distribution of mattresses, blankets, food kits and hygiene kits.
Access is difficult and limited in Gaza, but with the help of partner organisations, we are supporting children and their families with urgent humanitarian aid. We are also calling for a permanent ceasefire.
We urgently need support to provide life-saving humanitarian aid to as many people as possible.
Your gift today will go straight towards:
- life-saving food, first-aid, water and medicine for families who have lost everything.
- shelter kits for families crossing the border so they have somewhere safe to sleep.
- menstrual hygiene kits so women and girls can manage their periods with dignity.
- child protection services for children who have lost parents, and are at risk of child-trafficking and exploitation.
- counselling for children and families who have been traumatised.
We are also deeply concerned for all the children suffering in Israel, including hostages who must be released. The Government of Israel has not requested additional support from the international humanitarian community at this time.
Every hour we wait, even more children are at risk if they do not receive urgent supplies. Help now.
Photo: Plan International staff in Egypt readying boxes of food to be transported across the border into Gaza. © Plan International