April 19, 2024
Help children caught in the crossfire of this deadly conflict
Middle East Crisis Response
Violence across the region is escalating and children and families are caught up in the conflict, with tens of thousands killed, injured, suffering from acute malnutrition, and more than 1.7 million people displaced.
"I can’t sleep at night. Pictures and sounds of crying children keep coming up all night." –15-year-old girl, the West Bank
Innocent children and families urgently need support. Families have lost everything due to violence. Children cannot access health care or go to school. There is no place safe for them. You can help those whose lives have been torn apart.
Our teams are on the ground in the West Bank, in Lebanon, in Jordan, in Syria. We are responding to the current crisis – just as we have done so to previous outbreaks of violence. Our staff have decades of experience working in the most difficult contexts.
We are providing essential aid, helping vulnerable communities protect children and young people from any uptick in violence, supporting parents and caregivers whose children are suffering emotional distress and mental harm, and providing safe places where communities can gather for support.
How can you help?
Pray for the children
Pray for children and their families living in the midst of rising levels of violence
Pray for the staff
Pray for the safety of our staff and partners as they try to deliver aid and services
Donate
Support our response to provide lifesaving support to those affected by the violence
How your donation helps
Our teams are helping vulnerable children, families, and communities affected by this crisis. Donations are directed to the most vulnerable people in the areas of greatest need identified by World Vision and our partners.
Our response includes
Essential emergency relief and supplies
We are providing families affected by violence emergency relief to replace essential items after losing their homes.
Psychosocial support
We are providing age-appropriate, mental health support and equipping parents to help children endure and heal from distress, fear, and uncertainty.
Safe community spaces & operations
We are rehabilitating safe spaces so communities can come together to support each other.
Resilience building
We are helping more villages to be able to effectively respond to conflict and emergencies.
Building health care capacity
We are equipping health clinics to ensure communities have the capacities to respond to emergencies and to offer care to pregnant women and newborn...
Keeping children safe and protected
We are supporting schools to ensure that children are safe and protected in case of violence and delivering educational supplies.
Catch-up classes
We are providing catch-up classes to children who have not been able to attend school over the past months and providing online learning materials.
Food assistance
We are delivering food, supporting community kitchens to prepare hot meals, and distributing cash and vouchers to help families buy groceries.
World Vision’s experience in the region
We have experience and a proven track record of helping in the region since 1975.
We’ve developed one of the most extensive community-based presences amongst organisations operating in the West Bank, with 80 dedicated staff and have developed local connections that enable us to move quickly and have a wide impact. World Vision Lebanon has 185 staff members as well as more than 300 local partners. Our strong relationships with communities and local stakeholders has helped to ensure local communities become agents of change.
In 2023, World Vision helped more than 136,000 people, including nearly 95,000 children, in 150 villages across the West Bank. In Lebanon, World Vision has reached 837,825 people across Lebanon, including more than 420,500 children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my child becomes seriously injured or passes away during this conflict?
The safety and well-being of the children we serve is our highest priority. If your sponsored child becomes seriously injured or passes away during this conflict, or for any other reason, we will contact you directly with known and consented information as soon as it’s operationally possible. In this devastating circumstance, World Vision works to support the family with psychosocial support and material assistance based on the family's request.
What happens if my child loses a parent or caregiver during this conflict?
We know the flow-on impacts of any conflict can be even more devastating for children and communities living in poverty, specifically losing a parent or older caregiver. If your sponsored child loses a parent/caregiver as a result of this conflict or for any other reason, we will contact you directly with known and consented information as soon as it’s operationally possible.
Can I still write a letter to my sponsored child?
Yes. In fact, we hope you will!
In such uncertain times, your sponsored child or their family could be facing fear or uncertainty and they could benefit from knowing you are thinking of and/or praying for them (because of the sensitivity of the situation, avoid speaking about the conflict itself). It may take longer for your letter to be delivered, but rest assured that it will be delivered to your sponsored child as soon as it’s safe to do so. If international mail restrictions are placed on any countries where we work, we will provide immediate updates.
Will I still receive new photos and updates from my sponsored child?
Yes, but the timeframe will be dependent on the situation in the community where your sponsored child is based, as our priority is always the safety of children, staff, and volunteers. If this happens, we ask for your patience and will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
