One Month Since Escalation of Fighting in the Middle East: Over 340 Children Killed; Children Worldwide at Risk Due to Supply Chain Disruptions [Press Release]

[March 30, 2026, New York]

As the ongoing escalation of fighting in the Middle East expands the crisis and humanitarian impact facing children, UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) is committed to continuing its support across the region while calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a substantial de-escalation by all parties.

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More than a month has passed since the intensification of military conflict in the Middle East, and the fighting continues to exact a heavy toll on children in the region. Reports indicate that more than 340 children have been killed and thousands injured. This figure includes 216 deaths and 767 injuries in Iran, 124 deaths and 413 injuries in Lebanon, 4 deaths and 862 injuries in Israel, 1 death in Kuwait, 4 injuries in Bahrain, and 1 injury in Jordan. The highest number of child casualties reported occurred on the first day of the war, when a missile attack on the Shajareh Tayebeh Girls' Elementary School in Iran claimed the lives of 168 children.

Relentless attacks by parties to the conflict across multiple countries continue to destroy and damage facilities and infrastructure essential to children, including hospitals, schools, and water and sanitation systems.

During the same period, violence has continued in Palestine, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, resulting in the deaths of 16 Palestinian children and injuries to more than 50.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stated: "While children in this region are exposed to unimaginable violence, the very systems and services meant to protect them are under attack. All parties to the conflict must take immediate action to protect civilian lives and uphold the rights of children."

Across the Middle East, as entire communities disappear due to airstrikes and evacuation orders, the number of displaced children has reached 1.2 million. In such massive upheaval, children may face traumatic events or lose everything that provided them with a sense of security. It is known that prolonged exposure to violence and instability can affect brain development, emotional regulation, and even long-term mental health.

Due to ongoing hostilities, the impact is increasingly extending beyond the Middle East to children in other regions. UNICEF estimates that disruptions in procurement, production, and transport caused by the conflict could lead to delays of up to six months for critical aid supplies reaching various parts of the world. Furthermore, global crude oil prices are expected to rise by up to 20%, which could lead to sharp increases in manufacturing and transport costs for essential supplies such as vaccines and nutritional products. Additionally, logistical issues such as port congestion and the rerouting of shipping lanes are becoming severe, with some rerouting cases extending transit times by up to four weeks.

To address these global supply disruptions, UNICEF is utilizing alternative air, land, and sea routes, diversifying sources for strategic life-saving supplies, and front-loading procurement in anticipation of longer lead times to maintain a stable supply of essential goods for children worldwide. Furthermore, UNICEF is actively negotiating with transport providers to curb excessive surcharges and ensure the priority transport of humanitarian goods, working to ensure that necessary support to affected regions remains uninterrupted.

In Iran, at the request of the Ministry of Health, UNICEF has begun providing pre-positioned health supplies, including mobile health units, primary healthcare tents, and emergency medical kits, supporting approximately 226,000 people in conflict-affected areas to access essential services. This support includes vaccines, additional primary healthcare supplies, and the provision of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for children, adolescents, and the community.

Similarly, in Lebanon, in response to the deteriorating situation, UNICEF has strengthened its emergency response to deliver urgent humanitarian aid to children and families. This includes support for particularly vulnerable internally displaced persons living in collective shelters, host communities, and hard-to-reach areas. Working with partner organizations, UNICEF is providing integrated health services, including vaccinations, newborn care, and pediatric intensive care, to people in over 290 shelters and more than 480,000 people living in host communities. Furthermore, UNICEF has repaired 20 water and sanitation facilities across the country, restoring safe and stable water and sewage services for over 1.2 million people.

UNICEF reiterates its support for the UN Secretary-General's call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a substantial de-escalation. All parties must exercise maximum restraint. Under international humanitarian law, civilians, especially children, and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times.

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About UNICEF UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) is a UN agency working to promote the rights and healthy development of all children. Currently, in approximately 190 countries and territories*, we work with many partners to translate our principles into concrete action. We focus particularly on supporting the most disadvantaged children, working for every child, everywhere. UNICEF's activities are funded entirely by voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, organizations, and governments. https://www.unicef.org *Includes 32 countries and territories where UNICEF National Committees operate.

About the Japan Committee for UNICEF The Japan Committee for UNICEF is one of 32 UNICEF National Committees in industrialized countries and regions. As the only organization representing UNICEF in the private sector in Japan, it is responsible for public relations, fundraising, and advocacy for UNICEF activities. https://www.unicef.or.jp