MEDIA RELEASE 
6am, 10 March: For immediate release
Civilians pay the price as regional conflict engulfs Middle East
Plan International remains deeply alarmed by the escalating military conflict in Iran and the Middle East, which continues to put children at grave risk. Schools in Iran’s Hormozgan and Tehran provinces have reportedly been hit amid ongoing air strikes. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas inevitably and unacceptably endangers innocent lives.
Children should never be targets or casualties of war. Ever.
As hostilities have spread to the wider region, our teams and humanitarian partners in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza have witnessed the fallout firsthand.
Lebanon is currently among the most affected by the crisis, having come under deadly airstrikes since 2 March. Already grappling with an economic crisis, the escalation in hostilities has led to heightened displacement and increasing humanitarian needs.
More than 80,000 people have been displaced in 399 collective shelters across the country, 277 of which are schools according to the Lebanon National Coordination Task Force.
Evacuation orders in Lebanon
Some 20% of Lebanon’s territory is also currently under evacuation orders affecting an estimated 900,000 people, with the number expected to increase in the coming days.
“This emergency is traumatic for people on the ground – especially children, girls and young women, who face heightened vulnerability in shelters and amid displacement. We are also already seeing significant disruption to education because of school closures,” said Alam Janbein, Plan International’s Director of Programmes for Lebanon and Syria.
Plan International has already distributed more than 600 non-food item kits across four collective shelters in the capital Beirut, containing supplies such as soap and menstrual hygiene products. Further distributions are under way in ten more collective shelters, providing 2,000 food kits, 2,000 hygiene and menstrual health kits and 1,500 core relief item kits, comprising mattresses, blankets and pillows to support more than 25,000 internally displaced people.
Large numbers of Lebanese have fled into neighbouring Syria, where even before this conflict, some 70% of the population were estimated to need humanitarian assistance. Action is underway to meet the needs of at least 1,500 households, including through lifesaving nutrition services for the most vulnerable – particularly children and women.
Situation in Gaza worsens
The already dire situation in Gaza continues to worsen. Years of conflict have left a generation of children displaced, hungry and traumatised. Plan International is working through local humanitarian partners on the ground to scale up community kitchens; safe spaces offering child protection services and emotional care; as well as educational and recreational activities. Amid uncertainty triggered by the strikes on Iran, it is vital that humanitarian access to Gaza is guaranteed.
While the escalation of the crisis is unlikely to result in large refugee movements directly into North and East Africa, significant indirect pressures on vulnerable populations are anticipated across Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia primarily through energy, food and transport price shocks.
Higher fuel and freight costs will increase the operational cost of delivering humanitarian assistance, accelerating food insecurity, negative coping strategies and displacement pressures leading to both economic and humanitarian shockwaves.
“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is extremely complex, involving multiple parties, interests and grievances. But there is one commonality – civilians and children continue to pay a heavy price,” said Hajir Maalim, Plan International’s Regional Director.
“There is a clear need for a ramped-up humanitarian response to ensure that basic needs are met and to protect the dignity and future of vulnerable populations. We call on all warring parties to exercise maximum restraint and uphold International Humanitarian Law.”
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For interviews with Plan humanitarian spokespeople in Lebanon, Syria and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, or more information please contact: Claire Knox, Media and PR Manager, Plan International Australia: +61 452 326 549 / [email protected]
About Plan International Australia
Plan International Australia works alongside communities globally, delivering emergency response and long-term development programs to see girls values and empowered, so that future generations inherit a brighter, more equitable future. We believe a better world is possible. An equal world; a world where all children can live happy and healthy lives, and where girls can take their rightful place as equals. www.plan.org.au
