Lebanon Appeal
Humanitarian Action for Children
UNICEF’s Humanitarian Action for Children appeal helps support the agency’s work as it
provides conflict- and disaster-affected children with access to water, sanitation, nutrition,
education, health and protection services. Return to main appeal page.
Lebanon snapshot
Appeal highlights
On 4 August, two explosions hit Beirut city, sending shockwaves throughout the city causing multiple casualties and widespread damage. As of 3 September, at least 180 people have been killed and 6,500 injured, including up to 1,000 children. Up to 300,000 people have lost their homes, with up to 100,000 children directly affected. Water systems of at least 1,339 buildings and waste water systems of at least 647 buildings are damaged.
The explosion caused extensive damage to essential public services. Three hospitals have been severely damaged, and a new-born and pediatric unit, 23 Primary Health Care Centers, dispensaries and the Central Drug Warehouse require rehabilitation. The assessments from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education indicate that 92 public and 69 private schools and 20 Technical and Vocational Education and Training buildings have suffered structural damage.
This crisis is unfolding in the context of a collapsed economy, political instability and a surge in COVID-19 cases. Under the current circumstances, there is already a rapid spread of COVID- 19. The longer-term consequences of the explosion particularly on children are yet to be fully grasped, and the fall out will be felt for months and possibly even years to come.
Key planned results for 2020
15 impacted Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs) and dispensaries rehabilitated and provided with emergency supplies and a minimum service package
50,000 affected girls, boys, women and men assisted with temporary access to adequate quantity of safe water for drinking and domestic use
25,000 affected girls, boys, parents and primary caregivers provided with community-based mental health and psycho-social support
Funding requirements for 2020
Country strategy
UNICEF is working with the Lebanese authorities, UN agencies and partners to address the immediate needs of affected girls, boys and their families. Within the coordination structure in place, UNICEF is leading the WASH sector, the Child Protection sub-sector, and the Education working group while being an active member in Health, Food Security and Shelter sectors.
One of UNICEF's priorities for children is to recover from the trauma of the explosions and remain safe. UNICEF is providing psychosocial support, access to protection services and case management. Special consideration will be given to vulnerable girls and women and mitigation of gender-based violence.
UNICEF will continue to ensure access to safe water and sanitation and prioritize the recovery of damaged essential public services such as schools and health facilities, critical to the well-being of children. To alleviate the impact of the crisis on the most vulnerable children, UNICEF will provide a one-off emergency cash assistance to affected families to ensure 80,000 children access their basic needs.UNICEF will equip adolescent and youth with training and resources to participate in the rehabilitation effort.
UNICEF will also support the implementation of an Accountability to Affected Populations response framework inclusive of children with disabilities.
Programme targets
Find out more about UNICEF's work
Highlights
Humanitarian Action is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate to realize the rights of every child. This edition of Humanitarian Action for Children – UNICEF’s annual humanitarian fundraising appeal – describes the ongoing crises affecting children in Lebanon; the strategies that we are using to respond to these situations; and the donor support that is essential in this response.
