Urgent Need to Protect Children and Families as Middle East Escalation Intensifies Further, says World Vision

2 March 2026 – World Vision is deeply concerned by the intensifying escalation across the Middle East and urgently calls on all parties to immediately de-escalate hostilities and work towards a lasting peaceful resolution.

Millions of children and their families – who have already experienced conflict, displacement, and psychological distress over the past years – are at renewed risk of being subjected to further harm, trauma, and even death. Half of all children across the region currently live in a conflict-affected setting. Many are extremely vulnerable to hunger, disease outbreaks, disrupted education, child marriage, and child labour.

Renewed instability is compounding already severe humanitarian needs in communities enduring prolonged insecurity, economic hardship, and limited access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and clean water.

Eleanor Monbiot, Regional Leader at World Vision Middle East and Eastern Europe said:

“We are deeply worried about every girl and boy impacted by this intensifying escalation in the Middle East. This young generation has already been through so much suffering. Millions of children risk missing out further on their childhood and essential opportunities for growth.

“Children across the region are growing up surrounded by uncertainty and fear. Escalating violence disrupts every aspect of a child’s life – from education and healthcare to their sense of safety and wellbeing. Children must be protected, and their needs prioritised at all times

“We remind all parties to the conflict that targeting civilian infrastructure, schools, and healthcare facilities is a violation of International Humanitarian Law. We urge all parties to immediately de-escalate, and safeguard affected children and families’ needs.”

World Vision is currently assessing growing needs on the ground and activating its emergency response to reach those affected by this ongoing crisis. Reaching the most vulnerable children and families across the region remains central to our response.

Notes to Editors:

World Vision has been working across the Middle East for more than 50 years, delivering life-saving humanitarian assistance and long-term development programmes to vulnerable children and families. The organisation works alongside local partners in Iraq, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Türkiye, and Afghanistan, providing emergency food assistance, clean water, healthcare, education, child protection, and psychosocial support in some of the region’s most fragile contexts.

For more information, please contact:

Evita Jourdi, Regional Advocacy, Policy and External Engagement Senior Advisor at World Vision Middle East and Eastern Europe: Evita_jourdi@wvi.org I +961 71 677 744