No Safe Place: Children in Lebanon Face Rising Protection Risks Amid Expanding Hostilities

8 April 2026 – World Vision is deeply alarmed by today’s surge in airstrikes across Lebanon, with more than 100 strikes reported in multiple areas already experiencing rising displacement. This latest escalation is placing already vulnerable children and families at immediate and increasing risk of harm. 

Lebanese authorities and emergency responders have described the situation as catastrophic, with 89 people reportedly killed and 700 wounded in today’s airstrikes alone, according to the Ministry of Public Health. The Lebanese Red Cross has also deployed more than 100 ambulances across the country to assist the wounded. This comes on top of an already devastating toll: since the escalation began on 2 March, more than 1,500 people have been killed, including at least 130 children, and over 4,600 injured. 

Intensifying airstrikes in densely populated areas of Beirut, the Bekaa and southern Lebanon, are forcing families to flee their homes – often multiple times – seeking safety in overcrowded shelters, on the streets, in tents and cars, or with host communities already under strain. In parts of southern Lebanon, damage to critical civilian infrastructure such as bridges, schools and health facilities, are severely restricting movement and leaving communities increasingly isolated, with limited access to essential goods, healthcare, and humanitarian assistance. 

Children are bearing the heaviest burden. Many have been uprooted from their homes time and time again, separated from familiar environments, and exposed to repeated trauma. More than one million people – including over 390,000 children – are now displaced, further compounding humanitarian needs across the country. Disruptions to education, lack of safe spaces, and growing pressure on families are heightening risks of psychosocial distress, abuse, and exploitation.  

Humanitarian access remains constrained by or fully blocked due to insecurity, damaged infrastructure, and movement restrictions, limiting the ability of organisations – such as World Vision – to reach those most in need. At the same time, essential services – including access to healthcare, clean water, education and child protection – are under severe strain as needs continue to rise. 

World Vision urgently calls on all parties to: 

• Immediately de-escalate hostilities and work towards lasting peace;  

• Protect children, families, health care workers, paramedics, and civilian infrastructure at all times, in line with International Humanitarian Law;  

• Ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, particularly to hard-to-reach areas impacted in Beirut, the Bekaa, and South Lebanon; and 

• Scale up flexible humanitarian funding to meet rapidly growing needs across the country. 

Heidi Diedrich, National Director of World Vision Lebanon, said: 

“This latest escalation is devastating for children who have already faced far too much. From Beirut to the Bekaa and the South of the country, children are living through fear, displacement, and loss. For children who have already endured years of crises, this latest escalation is compounding fear, uncertainty, and increasing the risks of long-term harm. 

“Every hour matters. Children must be protected, and the international community must act now to prevent further suffering. We call on all parties to the conflict to immediately de-escalate and work towards lasting peace, while allowing for humanitarian aid and access to be scaled up.” 

World Vision Lebanon continues to respond on the ground, providing life-saving assistance – including food, hygiene kits, and psychosocial support – to more than 141,000 displaced people, including over 50,000 children, since 2 March. However, the scale and intensity of the crisis require urgent and sustained international support to ensure that every child still has the chance to live in safety and dignity. 

Notes to Editors:  

World Vision has been present in Lebanon for more than 50 years, delivering humanitarian assistance and long-term transformational development programmes supporting vulnerable children and families. The organisation works with local partners to provide emergency food assistance, education support, child protection, clean water, healthcare, and psychosocial services across the country. 

 
World Vision Lebanon sitrep #6 I World Vision Lebanon FY25 Country Profile 

For more information, please contact: 
Maya Bou Nassar, Advocacy & Communications Manager, World Vision Lebanon: 
Maya_Bounassar@wvi.org | +961 3950516