UNICEF Lebanon Humanitarian Situation Report No.1 (Escalation of Hostilities), 19 March 2026

Country: Lebanon Source: UN Children's Fund Please refer to the attached file. Highlights Intensifying conflict across Lebanon has killed 968 people, including 116 children, and displaced over 1 million people, including over 350,000 children, overwhelming shelters, disrupting education at scale, and driving severe protection risks nationwide. UNICEF’s multi-sectoral response is delivering integrated, life-saving services to displaced children and families across shelters, host communities, and conflict-affected areas, rapidly scaling support through existing systems and partnerships to reach the most vulnerable. UNICEF requires US$ 48.3 million for its three-month response to reach 1 million people in need but faces an 86 per cent funding gap, with only US$ 6.8 million available. Without urgent additional funding, contingency stocks will be depleted, and life-saving services for children and families will be disrupted. SITUATION IN NUMBERS 350,000 Children in need of humanitarian assistance 1,000,000 People in need of humanitarian assistance 116 Children Killed Since 2 March 356 Chlidren Injured Since 2 March FUNDING OVERVIEW AND PARTNERSHIPS UNICEF’s three‐month Preparedness and Response Plan requires US$ 48.3 million to reach 1 million people in need, including US$ 10 million for the immediate response and essential supplies. UNICEF is currently distributing contingency stocks valued at US$ 8 million, which must be urgently replenished to avoid a stockout. There is US$ 6.8 million in available funds for this response, in addition to an internal Emergency Programme Fund (EPF) loan of US$ 4 million. Despite this support, an 86 per cent funding gap remains. Without additional resources, UNICEF will be unable to maintain critical services or respond to the escalating needs of affected children and their families. SITUATION OVERVIEW AND HUMANITARIAN NEEDS Hostilities in Lebanon continue to have a devastating impact on civilians, with reportedly 968 people killed, including 116 children, according to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). An additional 2,432 people were injured, including 356 children, as of 18 March. Displacement continues to rise, with an estimated 1,049,328 people affected as of 16 March, including an estimate of over 350,000 children.1 Of these, 133,492 are accommodated in 633 official shelters across the country. 2 The geographic scope of displacement orders has expanded, prompting significant population movements across multiple governorates. Since the onset of the escalation, these orders are estimated to cover approximately 1,470 square kilometres, equating to around 14 per cent of Lebanon’s territory, including extensive areas of southern Lebanon, Beirut’s southern suburbs, and parts of the Bekaa Valley. Many families have been forced to leave with little notice and limited safe relocation options. Reports indicate that, in certain southern villages, including Shabriha in the Tyre district, civil defence teams or municipal authorities were directed to evacuate remaining residents. Displacement is driving heightened protection risks, particularly for women and girls who are increasingly exposed to gender-based violence (GBV), exploitation, and trafficking, as well as for children, older persons, and persons with disabilities. Family and community support systems that normally safeguard children have been disrupted. Access to safe shelter and reliable information remains a critical concern. With hosting capacities in private homes and public facilities overstretched, some displaced families are forced to stay in vehicles or open areas. Overcrowding, lack of privacy, and elevated stress levels exacerbate protection risks, while also increasing exposure to public health hazards such as fires and disease. These conditions further hinder the safe identification and reporting of protection concerns. Further, children in shelters and affected communities are reportedly showing increasing signs of psychological distress due to prolonged exposure to violence, uncertainty, disrupted routines, and continued instability. NonLebanese displaced populations continue to face barriers in accessing formal shelters and are therefore primarily supported through community-based networks and humanitarian assistance. Education is also being disrupted as a result of the escalation and rising displacement; of the 633 shelters, 353 are public schools. The conversion of these schools to shelters has directly affected 115,000 children, 75,000 students in the morning shift and nearly 40,000 in the afternoon shift, whose regular education has been disrupted. In addition, all children enrolled in public schools, approximately 300,000 in the morning shift and 100,000 in the afternoon shift, are currently unable to attend classes, highlighting the scale of disruption to the national education system. Attacks affecting civilian infrastructure, including health facilities, remain a serious concern. Reportedly, 15 medical

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