*Trigger Warning: The following story features mentions of children in distress and a potentially upsetting voice note*
John, I’m Baraa Shkeir, a staff member with Save the Children in Lebanon. I’m reaching out because yesterday was Human Rights Day – and while it should have been a day of celebration, for millions of children, it’s a stark reminder of what war and violence has stolen from them.
Their homes. Their families. Their futures. Their basic rights as human beings. These are the things that I’ve seen war and violence strip from children day in and day out – and that’s the reality for more than 2 million children, both Lebanese and refugees.
Recent airstrikes have killed more than 3,000 people, more than 230 children among them, with more bombings striking Beirut every day. This violence has sparked a mass displacement of 1.2 million people in Lebanon, sending 510,000 across the Syrian border in just the last two months alone. 60% of those who’ve crossed are children.
Seeing what families are going through as they shelter in schools has been incredibly difficult. Children are living without enough food, water or medical care. They’re living in traumatic and unhygienic conditions without access to basic services. And many of them have critical injuries that will change their lives forever.
Scattered about the collective shelter, you can see their toys, drawings they’ve made, remnants of their homes that they’ve managed to bring with them through the chaos. Backpacks are filled with everything they need in the event that they’re forced to relocate again.
Please take a moment to listen to my story: I know it might be difficult to hear, but it shines an important light on what children are facing and how Save the Children is working to restore their rights, get them the supplies they need and keep them safe from harm — not only in Lebanon, but in other crisis zones around the globe.
Thank you for playing such a critical role in this important work and taking the time to learn more about what children in crisis are going through. I hope you’ll continue to share these accounts with anyone you know who’s concerned about kids, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated on our work.
