HAMILTON, Canada

UNICEF Director Catherine Russell warned Thursday of the “serious physical injuries and deep emotional scars” that the war in Lebanon is inflicting on children.

Russell highlighted in a statement that “166 children have been killed since October 2023, while at least 1,168 have been injured.”

She highlighted the urgent need for peace, warning that “real healing can only begin when the violence stops.”

At least one child has been killed and 10 injured every day since the beginning of October, according to the press release.

“Children in Lebanon are showing alarming signs of emotional, behavioral and physical distress,” she said.

Many children in Lebanon show signs of acute distress, including “separation anxiety, fear of loss, withdrawal, aggression and difficulty concentrating,” said Russell, who noted that children Reports of nightmares, headaches, and loss of appetite are common among affected children.

“War destroys the safe and nurturing environments that children need,” she said, warning that “prolonged periods of traumatic stress” as well as “serious health and psychological risks” can last a lifetime.

The statement reaffirms that UNICEF has provided emergency psychological support to more than 9,600 children and caregivers in Lebanon since the end of September.

Russell stressed that lasting recovery requires an “immediate ceasefire so that (children) can safely access essential services and begin to recover from the trauma of war.”

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