World Vision Urges Protection of Children in the Middle East

World Vision warns that the violence and destruction of infrastructure in Lebanon and Palestine means children there are facing potential outbreaks of disease and increased levels of malnutrition.

|TOP|In the midst of thousands of foreigners evacuating from Lebanon, the leading aid agency claims that children in Palestine, Lebanon and Israel are facing potential physical threats and lasting psychological trauma.

In addition, World Vision is equally concerned about both the rights of Israeli children to be protected and about the physical and psychological impact of rocket attacks on children in northern Israel and those north of the Gaza Strip.

”World Vision has worked in the Middle East for more than 30 years and we have seen time and again the damage such conflict does to the youngest civilians,” said Ruba Khoury, Heda of Programmes for World Vision Lebanon. “Those who escape physical injuries or maiming often do not escape psychological and emotional trauma. No child, whether living in Israel, Lebanon or Palestine, should have their rights to protection ignored – especially in times of war.”

At least 20 children in Gaza have been killed since June 1, adding to the 121 Israeli and 734 Palestinian children killed since September 2000. In the recent fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, more than 200 civilians have died and over 400 have been injured - approximately 30 percent of whom are children.

"World Vision programmes benefit thousands of children in Gaza and Lebanon and has done so for three decades," said Allyn Dhynes, Advocacy, Peacebuilding and Communications Manager for World Vision Jerusalem/Westbank/Gaza.

"But currently our staff are struggling to reach where they are needed because of the fighting. In Gaza, our staff confirm reports from UNICEF and other international bodies that describe the severe psychological and physical stress children are experiencing. We are seriously concerned that the destruction of infrastructure and impediments on freedom of movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza could lead to outbreaks of water-borne and other diseases.”

In Lebanon, the ongoing destruction of infrastructure and the targeting of civilian areas have caused great suffering and a major set back in the country's development, which was well under way. In both situations, the rights of children to food, clean water, access to health care and protection from violence are being ignored.

|AD|World Vision is trying to address the basic needs of children and families in the areas where the infrastructure is hardest hit – Gaza and Lebanon – by supplying upward of US$500,000 in medical and other humanitarian supplies. However, when the dust does settle, the agency expects that many years of development work will have been undone.

Ruba Khoury from World Vision Lebanon says: “It is not enough for the international community simply to call for restraint - key actors must put urgent and unrelenting pressure on all sides to end the violence, especially attacks against civilian targets. And once a ceasefire is secured, efforts must continue to address the causal factors in these conflicts.”

World Vision Jerusalem-West Bank-Gaza National Director Charles Clayton said: "It is paramount that that there be an immediate ceasefire that will allow the humanitarian space for delivering crucial humanitarian assistance to provide for the most vulnerable who have been affected by the violence."

He added: “For the sake of all the children in that region, we are calling on those in power to end hostilities, negotiate an end to the crisis and ensure that children are protected at all times.”