LEBANON - Four in five families in Lebanon are struggling to afford basic needs, as renewed hostilities deepen the effects of years of economic crisis and push more children toward hunger, interrupted education and work, according to a new UNICEF report.
The report, titled “An Enduring Nightmare,” examines the worsening impact of the crisis on children and young people across Lebanon. It highlights growing pressure on household finances, access to essential services and children’s well-being.
Rising Food and Health Insecurity
More than one in five surveyed families, or 22%, said their children had gone to bed hungry. Among households with children under five, only 10% were able to provide a sufficiently diverse diet.
Access to healthcare has also been affected. Some 31% of families reported that their children had not received healthcare they needed, with affordability identified as the main reason.
Child labour has also increased. Fourteen percent of surveyed households reported having at least one child engaged in the labour market, more than double the rate recorded in January 2025.
“Children and young people in Lebanon are being asked to bear a burden that no child should have to carry,” said UNICEF Representative in Lebanon, Marcoluigi Corsi. He warned that without sustained action, the pressures could affect children throughout their lives.
Hostilities Disrupt Education
The escalation of hostilities since March 2, 2026 has had a significant impact on children and education. UNICEF reported that at least 261 children had been killed and 1,056 injured since the start of the escalation, equivalent to an average of seven children killed or injured every day over six months.
UNICEF estimates that 12% of injured children are now living with permanent disabilities.
The education sector has also sustained widespread damage. Around 436 education facilities were damaged and 37 were destroyed, according to a UNICEF assessment covering 1,089 facilities across Lebanon. UNICEF said the damage puts about 100,000 children at risk of not having a classroom available to them.
At the household level, 46% of families said they had reduced spending on education, while 17% reported that at least one child had stopped attending school. Among children who remained enrolled, 29% were unable to learn as expected, with difficulties concentrating and psychological distress among the reported factors.
Psychological Impact
The crisis is also affecting children’s mental and emotional well-being. UNICEF estimates that around 770,000 children experienced psychological distress during the six months.
More than half of surveyed families reported a deterioration in their children’s psychological well-being, while 63% said their children experienced feelings of anxiety or stress.
UNICEF has previously reported that more than 770,000 children were experiencing heightened distress linked to repeated exposure to violence, loss and displacement.
Young People Face Shrinking Opportunities
The pressures extend beyond children to young adults. A UNICEF assessment conducted earlier this year found that only 22% of young people aged 18 to 25 were enrolled in school or university, largely because of financial barriers.
At the time of the assessment, 67% were unemployed, highlighting continued difficulties for young people seeking to continue their education, access essential services and enter the labour market.
UNICEF Response
UNICEF said it has continued to respond to urgent humanitarian needs while supporting national systems and services relied upon by children and families.
Since January 2026, the agency has increased its humanitarian response, including treating injured children, delivering essential supplies to shelters and medical facilities, and providing assistance to displaced families.
Corsi said Lebanon’s recovery would depend on protecting children and maintaining their access to healthcare, education and protection, while providing opportunities for them to build their futures.
