BEIRUT, Lebanon: The United Nations children’s agency UNICEF has raised alarm over the worsening mental health situation among children in Lebanon, warning that more than 770,000 children are at risk of developing long-term psychological disorders due to continued exposure to violence, displacement and instability.
UNICEF said hundreds of thousands of children are enduring severe emotional strain as a result of persistent conflict conditions, repeated episodes of violence, loss of homes and ongoing displacement across the country.
The agency estimates that over 770,000 children are experiencing “heightened distress from repeated exposure to violence, loss and displacement.” It cautioned that without immediate and sustained psychosocial and social support, these children could face chronic mental health challenges in the years ahead.
At least 59 children have been reportedly killed or injured in Lebanon in the past week despite the agreed ceasefire.
Ongoing violence and displacement is pushing over 770,000 children towards chronic mental health conditions.
Learn more: https://t.co/lUbwI2D5VG
— UNICEF (@UNICEF) May 13, 2026
UNICEF stressed that the consequences of the crisis extend beyond immediate emotional suffering, warning that the psychological impact could shape not only the wellbeing of affected children but also have long-term implications for Lebanon’s broader social and economic future.
Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, emphasised the urgency of intervention, saying that without timely support, “the psychological scars of this compounded crisis may stay with them for years, affecting not only their wellbeing but their future and the future of the country.”
The agency has repeatedly called for increased humanitarian assistance and expanded mental health and psychosocial support services, particularly for children in conflict-affected and displacement-affected areas, warning that the situation could deteriorate further if conditions remain unresolved.
UNICEF also reported that at least 59 children were killed or injured in Lebanon within a single week despite the ceasefire agreement reached on 17 April 2026. This includes the death of two children and their mother from the same family in a recent strike on their vehicle.
According to the Ministry of Public Health, at least 23 children have been killed and 93 injured since the ceasefire, while overall figures since 2 March indicate 200 children killed and 806 injured, averaging nearly 14 child casualties per day.
The agency said children are showing severe psychological distress, including fear, nightmares, sleep disturbances and signs of depression, with caregivers reporting widespread anxiety and sadness following repeated exposure to violence.
A 2025 UNICEF assessment found that 72% of caregivers observed anxiety or nervousness in children, while 62% reported symptoms of depression or sadness after earlier escalations.
UNICEF warned that ongoing instability is worsening mental health conditions and urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law and fully uphold the ceasefire.
The worsening situation comes amid continued Israeli military strikes on Lebanon, adding to the country’s ongoing humanitarian and displacement crisis.
