MIDDLE EAST AND WIDER REGIONAL CONFLICT

Escalating conflict in the Middle East and wider region has triggered a rapidly expanding crisis, leaving children's lives and rights hanging in the balance. 

Hundreds have already paid the heaviest price with their lives. Many more have been ripped from their homes, schools and sense of safety. 

Over 300 children have been killed – the equivalent to 10 classrooms full of children.

At least 100 million children living in countries directly impacted by the escalating violence in the Middle East and wider region are in grave danger of both physical and mental harm — and displacement. 

Many children in the region have already endured years of violence, conflict and insecurity and are now being plunged back into fear, facing the risk of death, injury and displacement. 

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. 

The violence must end before children suffer irreparable harm.

We’re urgently calling for an end to the hostilities to protect children from further harm. Until hostilities de-escalate, upholding the rules of war is an obligation, not a choice. Wars have laws and children must be off limits.    

ALL CHILDREN MUST BE PROTECTED. ALL CHILDREN DESERVE PEACE.

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.

• In Iran, at least 202 children have been killed.
• In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes have killed 634 people in total, including 111 children and injured at least 1,500 more. Over 1 million people, including over 350,000 children have been displaced, with shelters overstretched and the number of people changing daily.
• A further 134,100 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 already reached over 33,000 people with critical support. Our teams are distributing hygiene kits, baby kits, mattresses and blankets across 88 camps to families displaced by the latest airstrikes and forced displacement orders. We are providing food parcels, support across education, child protection, water and sanitation, and shelter to reach children wherever they are forced to flee.
• 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 7,500 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.

• Save the Children is calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities to avert a humanitarian catastrophe, widespread displacement, environmental devastation and severe physical and psychological harm to a generation of children.
• Until then, while hostilities are ongoing, the laws of war must be followed. All parties must take urgent measures to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Children must be off limits.
• Save the Children is calling on the Government of Israel to fully re-open all crossings to ensure that children and their families can receive life-saving assistance.