A red teddy. UNO cards. A toy car collection. Colouring books. 

When children in southern Lebanon were forced to flee their homes as fighting escalated on the 2^nd March 2026, these were some of the few things they could take with them.

Save the Children asked eight children displaced from southern Lebanon to share one item that has brought them comfort since leaving home. Their choices may seem small, but they carry deep meaning. They carry a reminder of safety, family and the lives they left behind.

Today, more than one million people in Lebanon remain displaced, including over 400,000 children. Some are staying in crowded collective shelters, while others are living with relatives or in makeshift tents.

The children featured in this story are living in collective shelters, often with very little space, limited facilities, and nowhere to play. They speak of missing their homes, school, and their friends.

After more than two months away, many are struggling. Parents say their children are more anxious and afraid. Living in cramped, crowded conditions has left many children feeling trapped, far from the freedom they once had. Some have even seen images of their homes destroyed, adding to their fear and distress.

Although a temporary and fragile ceasefire allowed some families to return, many found their homes damaged or gone. Others tried to go back to collect belongings, only to be forced to flee once again due to the ongoing Israeli forces’ airstrikes and renewed displacement orders.

For these children, the small items they carry have become something much bigger: a piece of home they can hold on to.

Scroll to hear from children displaced by the conflict in Lebanon.

Sarah*

6-year-old Sarah managed to bring a red teddy bear with her, which was a precious gift from her father. Sarah hugs her red teddy bear tightly as one of the few comforts she has left of home. She misses the toys and clothes she had to leave behind.

Sama*

8-year-old Sama* holds onto her toys as small reminders of home. She longs for the war to end so she can return home, go back to school, and be reunited with her teachers and friends.

Naya*

6-year-old Naya* brought her colouring book and pencils, which were precious gifts from her mother. Now living in a collective shelter, Naya holds onto her colouring book and pencils as small comforts of home while she longs to return to school, to see her teachers and friends, and to begin learning again.

Wael*

10-year-old Wael* managed to bring his toy cars with him —small, carefully collected treasures he’s held onto since he was five. In the uncertainty of life in a collective shelter, he still lines up his cars and plays as he would at home as a source of familiarity and comfort.

Farah*

10-year-old Farah was only able to bring a doll. She holds onto it closely, hoping the war will end soon so her and her family can return home to find it safe and just as it was before.

Leen*

10-year-old Leen* brought her backpack and Barbie doll, cherised birthday gifts from her mother. Leen holds onto these as small but meaningful reminders of home. She deeply misses her village, her room, and everything she had to leave behind.

Tala*

10-year-old Tala* brought with her a notebook to study and a football to play with as small pieces of normality she holds onto while now living in a collective shelter. She longs for the war to end so she can return to her village, sleep in her own bed, and be reunited with her friends, teachers, and the school life she misses so much.

Nour*

8-year-old Nour* managed to carry a few treasured belongings including a colouring book, UNO cards, and clothes. These serve as small reminders of home that mean so much to her, especially as they were gifts from her parents.