UNICEF: Violence and displacement pushing more than 770,000 children toward mental health disorders

UNICEF said at least 59 children in Lebanon were killed or injured over the past week despite the ceasefire.

The organization warned that violence and displacement are pushing more than 770,000 children toward mental health disorders.

It said the past seven days witnessed the killing or injury of at least 59 children, including two children who were killed alongside their mother in a strike on their car earlier on Wednesday.

UNICEF added that Lebanon’s Health Ministry recorded 23 killed and 93 injured since the truce took effect, bringing the total since March 2 to 200 killed and 806 wounded — an average of around 14 children affected per day.

UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Edouard Beigbeder said: “Children are being killed and injured at a time when they should be returning to school.”

He also warned of psychological pressure affecting 770,000 children, including anxiety and nightmares, amid what he described as a sharp deterioration in mental health, with anxiety rates rising by 72% and depression by 62%.

UNICEF called for urgent investment in psychological support services and renewed commitment to international humanitarian law to preserve the ceasefire.

The organization added that it is expanding its services despite needs exceeding available resources.