MIDDLE EAST AND WIDER REGIONAL CONFLICT

Since hostilities escalated at the end of February across the Middle East and wider region, thousands of children have been trapped in the direct path of violence. Hundreds of children have been killed or injured by the fighting, the majority in Lebanon and Iran. Countless more have been forced to flee with little warning.

Save the Children welcomes the recent ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran and the announcement of a temporary pause in hostilities in Lebanon, providing some relief for families across the region who have endured unimaginable suffering. There are however reports of violations, which continues to put many children at risk, exposing them once again to fear, injury and displacement. Any pause must be fully respected by all parties.  A temporary pause is also not enough to protect children or enable meaningful recovery. 

The cost of this war, has not been confined to the frontlines in the Middle East. This conflict is unfolding across one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors, meaning its fallout is rippling across the globe. The Strait of Hormuz has been blocked for months, meaning food, fuel, fertiliser, medicines and other critical supplies have been delayed, rerouted or priced out of reach. For families already facing conflict, displacement, or food insecurity, rising prices and delayed shipments can be the difference between life and death.

While we’re doing everything we can to find workarounds, this is putting hundreds of thousands of lives at risk. Skyrocketing fuel and fertiliser costs also threaten the production and exportation of food, which will push millions more children into hunger, especially in import-dependent countries. The timing of these disruptions are of particular concern for countries entering planting seasons now, many of which are those already facing catastrophic humanitarian crises that have already exhausted their ability to absorb additional shocks, like Sudan and Somalia. 

As global headlines focus on the geopolitics and financial markets, not enough attention is being paid to the real costs of this war. The impacts on child survival, nutrition and education will last long after markets recover. 

World leaders face a clear choice: continue paying the escalating and multiple costs of this war — or invest in diplomacy, in peace, in children. 

How is the crisis impacting children and their rights across the region?

At least 100 million children are living in countries directly impacted by the escalating violence in the Middle East and wider region. They are in grave danger of both physical and mental harm and displacement. Over 300 children have been killed since the escalation began. That is the equivalent to 10 classrooms full of children. Thousands more have been injured.

• In Iran, over 200 children have been killed.
• In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes have killed over 2,200 people, including 177 children and injured at least 7,500 more. Over 1 million people, including some 400,000 children have been displaced, with shelters overstretched and the number of people changing daily.
• In Israel, 4 children have been killed.
• More than 240,000 people have also crossed the border from Lebanon into Syria – in many cases to communities that are still shattered from decades of conflict.   
• In Gaza and the West Bank, the recent escalation has also compounded the situation for children and families. Since the Government of Israel announced the closure of all crossings into the Gaza Strip on February 28, one has now reopened, allowing a trickling of aid to re-enter, but nothing on the scale that is required.
• In the West Bank, Palestinian children and families are facing increasingly severe movement restrictions, leaving many unable to access to basic services and severely limiting humanitarian organisations’ ability to reach communities in need.

Save the children is urgently responding.

Save the Children works in many countries across the region, including Türkiye, Syria, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

We've already released $2.5 million from our Emergency Fund to countries across the region to scale up responses and carry out contingency planning, as well as meet existing needs in contexts already facing humanitarian crises. 

• In Lebanon, we have reached over 50,000 people, including 24,000 children, with core relief items, hygiene kits, baby kits, female dignity kits and drinking water since the beginning of the escalation.
• In the occupied Palestinian territory, despite the worsening access restrictions, our teams are working relentlessly to keep lifesaving operations running. Since February 28th, we’ve reached over 23,000 people with critical support.
• In Syria, we are at the border between the northern Beqaa valley and Homs governorate, working with partners to support children and families arriving from Lebanon, many of whom are arriving with little more than the barest essentials. We have already reached over 6,500 people, including more than 3,300 children with ready to eat food parcels, water packs, blankets and psychological first aid.
• In Afghanistan, we have reached over 27,500 people who were living in Iran and crossed the border into Afghanistan with emergency cash, healthcare, water, protection and education.
• In Yemen, though not currently directly affected by the recent escalating hostilities, we are continuing to support children impacted by the existing humanitarian crisis. With the economic consequences of this latest conflict driving up the cost of fuel, food and other essentials, children and families already facing chronic food shortages and economic challenges in Yemen risk being plunged even deeper into crisis. We stand by ready to provide critical support should the situation escalate further.
• We’re also carrying out essential contingency planning to scale up in Pakistan, Iraq, Jordan, and Türkiye.

Save the Children’s Emergency Fund means we can act as soon as a crisis hits and deliver lifesaving support wherever it is needed, when it matters most. It allows us to move quickly and distribute emergency supplies, protecting children from harm, supporting families forced to flee, and helping children cope with trauma.

We do not currently have programmes operating inside Iran, the Gulf countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) or Israel. However, across the Gulf countries, we are collaborating with governments, philanthropic institutions and local stakeholders in the region through meaningful partnerships to strengthen child protection and education in various humanitarian contexts across the broader region.  We are also currently assessing potential avenues to provide support to displaced populations in Iran. 

Save the Children’s global priority is to ensure that all children, everywhere, are protected and able to realise their rights. We respond to crises based on need, access and where we have the capacity to make a meaningful impact.

• The opening of the Strait of Hormuz: Food, fertiliser, and humanitarian supplies must be allowed to move freely - without delay, without conditions. Every day these routes remain blocked, families go hungry, children are cut off from lifesaving medicines and children’s lives are put at risk. World leaders must stop playing politics with children’s lives.
• A permanent, lasting ceasefire: Recent fragile pauses have offered brief relief to families who have endured weeks of bombing and terror. But hostilities continue in many areas, and children and families are still coming under fire. Temporary pauses are not enough. Children cannot live full lives under the constant threat of violence resuming at any moment. They need safety, stability, and the chance to learn, play, and recover. Only a permanent, region-wide ceasefire can offer that protection. Governments must take all steps to end the fighting for good and prevent further death, displacement, and irreversible harm to a generation of children.
• Uphold the laws of war: Until a permanent ceasefire is implemented, all parties must respect international humanitarian law. Patterns of unacceptable violence against civilians, including children, that have been seen over the past three years in Gaza are being repeated across Iran, Lebanon and the wider region. The global laws of war, designed to protect children in conflict, are being violated and met with impunity.Children, homes, schools and hospitals must never be targets. Explosive weapons must not be used in populated areas, and aid workers must be able to deliver lifesaving support safely. When laws are broken, there must be consequences. Violations must not be normalised, and children’s rights must be upheld everywhere.

The longer leaders delay, the higher the cost will be.