Their lives and rights are hanging in the balance
Conflict across the Middle East and the wider region is putting children at grave risk. The recent ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran will provide some relief for families across the region, but reports this excludes Lebanon is extremely concerning.
Nearly 300 children have been killed since February 28, the equivalent of more than ten classrooms full of children. Families are being forced to flee with little warning, seeking safety wherever they can. No child should ever pay the price of war.
The conflict is disrupting global energy, trade and supply chains, increasing food, fuel and medicine prices worldwide. These soaring costs are being felt hardest by children already battling food insecurity and malnutrition due to years of previous conflict and economic shocks.
We are responding in Lebanon, distributing essential supplies to families displaced by airstrikes. Across Gaza and the West Bank, we continue supporting children facing severe shortages of basic supplies. We are preparing to scale up support across the region as needs grow.
Please donate monthly today to help keep children safe as violence spreads across the region.
Your $112 coulD provide mattresses for seven children in a displacement center
What is happening across the Middle East and wider region and what’s the humanitarian impact?
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.
We urgently call for a definitive, region-wide ceasefire, including in Lebanon, where the situation is reaching breaking point, to protect children from further harm. Wars have laws and children must be off limits
- In Iran, over 240 children have been killed.
- In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes have killed 1,200 people, including 124 children and injured at least 3,500 more. Over 1 million people, including 350,000 children have been displaced, with shelters overstretched and the number of people changing daily.
- 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.
- An estimated 200,000 people have also crossed the border from Lebanon into Syria – in many cases to communities that are still shattered from decades of conflict.
How your donation can help children in the Middle East and the wider region
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.
- In Lebanon, we have reached over 15,289 people with critical support since the beginning of the escalation, while continuing to support 56,266 people who we were already working with. We're distributing essential items across 88 shelters, and delivering recreational
activities for children to help them cope with the emotional toll of this crisis. - In the occupied Palestinian territory, despite the worsening access restrictions, our teams are working relentlessly to keep lifesaving operations running. Alongside our local partners we are adapting and finding new ways to reach families with shelter, food, and medical care for families.
- 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 over 3,300 children with ready to eat food parcels, water packs, blankets and psychological first aid.
- In Afghanistan, we have reached over 20,700 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.
Donate now to help us reach children affected by conflict across the Middle East and in the wider region.
Humanitarian funding is under growing pressure, and children cannot wait. Your support helps us respond quickly and reach families who need help most.
How is the conflict affecting children?
We know the toll of war on children and the immediate and lasting harm they suffer. Children risk:
- Displacement from their homes
- Losing access to education
- Missing essential healthcare
- Separation from loved ones
- Injury or death
- Severe psychological trauma
Explosive weapons used in populated areas pose extreme danger to civilians, especially children. These weapons are designed to destroy military targets. When used in cities and communities, they cause devastating harm.
Children are not small adults. Their bodies are still developing. Their bones, skulls and organs are more vulnerable to blast injuries. The impact can be catastrophic and life-altering.
Many children in the region have already endured years of violence and insecurity. They are now being plunged back into fear and uncertainty.
Give today to help protect children across the region with urgent, life-saving support.
Questions about your donation in the Middle East and wider region crisis?
How will my donation help?
Your donation helps deliver urgent support to children and families affected by conflict in the Middle East and in crisis-affected countries worldwide, including healthcare, safe water, hygiene supplies and protection services. Your support allows us to respond quickly as needs escalate.
Is the crisis still ongoing?
Yes. Escalating hostilities across the region are continuing to put children at risk. Families are facing displacement, service disruption and severe protection concerns.
Is my donation secure?
Yes. Save the Children International uses secure, encrypted payment systems to protect your information. We follow strict financial, governance and safeguarding standards to ensure donations are handled safely and responsibly.
How long has Save the Children worked in the region?
Save the Children was founded in 1919 and works in more than 100 countries worldwide. We have long-standing programmes across the Middle East and wider region have supported children in Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Türkiye, Jordan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Why donate to the Children's Emergency Fund?
Our Children's Emergency Fund is a central pot of funding for emergencies. It gives us the flexibility to respond quickly and wherever the need is greatest.
With every year that goes by, crises become more frequent, last longer and affect more people. There are now twice as many natural disasters as there were 20 years ago.
The needs are huge, but so is our determination to reach every last child in crisis. We have the experience to limit the effects of disasters on children's lives – and our Children's Emergency Fund is the key to unlocking this expertise.
Thanks to your support, we've helped millions of children in their darkest hour. Watch the video to see how your donation can save the lives of children in crisis.
Please give to our Child Emergency Fund today. Your donation will allow our response teams to protect children better, faster and for longer.
