The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Wednesday that the
Lebanese children had been deeply affected by terrifying memories resulted from
the continuing conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah.
"Children have been deeply affected by the terrifying events they and their
families have experienced, including the losses and injuries of beloved ones and
the destruction of their homes and schools," UNICEF said in a statement.
It also said that there was widespread but often concealed anxiety among the
Lebanese children, many of whom had disturbed sleep patterns and abnormal
bed-wetting.
"When the (Israeli) bombing starts, the young ones begin crying," said Najla
Hussein, who has found shelter along with her seven children in a secondary
school in central Beirut.
"We all feel terrified, adults and children alike," she added.
Meanwhile, UNICEF has been working closely with the Lebanese government and
non-governmental organizations to help the Lebanese children out of the dire
psychological effects from the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, according to the
statement.
The UN agency is providing recreational and educational supplies to more than
16,000 children in Beirut and surrounding areas and in centers for displaced
families across the country, said the statement.
"By keeping families together and organizing structured activities, we can go
some way toward putting normality back into the lives of these children and
their parents," said UNICEF regional child protection adviser Trish Hiddleston.
"Children do have an inner resilience in times of crisis. We have to build on
this," he added.
In addition, UNICEF said that an immediate cessation of hostilities would be
the most effective way to protect the Lebanese children from further distress
and provide an opportunity for their healing and recovery.
Violence between Israel and Hezbollah entered the 29th day on Wednesday.
Lebanon said that about 1,000 Lebanese had been killed and 3,000 wounded and
that a third of the casualties were children under 12.
Over 100 Israelis have also died in the fighting.
Aid agencies have warned of a humanitarian disaster in Lebanon, which is
under Israel's sea, land and air blockade.
Lebanon has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire and a withdrawal of
the Israeli troops from south Lebanon.
