More than 1 million homeless children face threat of disease

In Gaza, children are dying in their thousands. In Lebanon, they fear the same catastrophic fate.

At least 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza, and now over 600 have died in Lebanon in just one week.

This violence is having a traumatic effect on the families that manage to survive. But bombs and bullets are only the start of their new terrifying reality.

In Gaza, nine in every ten people have been forced from their homes, including almost a million children.

In Lebanon, in only a few weeks, the number of internally displaced people has risen to at least 1.2 million, including 400,000 children.

They are forced to live in tents, schools and makeshift shelters. Many have nothing more than the clothes on their backs to keep them warm.

Hungry, thirsty and afraid, they will now have no option but to drink water contaminated with faeces and will almost certainly contract life threatening polio, cholera or diarrhoea.

These children desperately need your help.

Endless suffering

“My children are terrified because of the sounds of explosions.”

These are the words of the mother of Rayan, 4, who has spent his short life fleeing endless conflict.

In 2014 they left Syria seeking shelter from war. Now they have been forced to return having fled Lebanon. UNICEF is providing them both with aid after they escaped across the border.

Like Rayan, many of those made homeless by the recent conflict have been displaced multiple times.

They have managed to escape with their lives, only for the battle for survival to continue.

Please, donate to help them. They need your support today.

UNICEF is on the ground, despite the dangers

Hundreds of aid workers have been killed since the conflict in Gaza began.

But UNICEF staff are there and in Lebanon providing life-saving aid. 

Donations from people like you have allowed us to provide over 2.3 million people in Gaza, including 1 million children, with safe water. 

In Lebanon, UNICEF has quickly repaired damaged water and sanitation facilities and provided thousands of bottles of clean drinking water and hygiene kits.

20 mobile health units have been sent to provide life–saving medical care and 100 tons of emergency medical supplies distributed to hospitals which are facing severe shortages.

Our emergency response has supported more than 70 shelters hosting over 20,000 displaced people, providing:

• 29,470 litres of bottled water
• 8,890 blankets and 100 winters kits
• 3,030 sleeping bags
• 4,800 hygiene kits

But the children of Gaza and Lebanon need much more. Hunger and disease are immediate threats. A donation from you now can help us increase our support and reach more terrified children.

UNICEF spokesperson James Elder delivers a special thank you message from the people of Gaza to Ireland.