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UNICEF today announced an updated appeal to support children affected by the Beirut explosions, the organization said in a released statement.

“The Beirut explosions have created additional trauma for the children of Lebanon who also have to cope with the impact of a steep economic crisis and a raging pandemic," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. "UNICEF and partners have been on the ground from day one, salvaging vaccine stockpiles, distributing water, and helping clean up debris. We count on our donors to help us support the children and families who are affected by this tragedy and who will need all the support they can get to rebuild their lives.”

The updated appeal was announced in Geneva, where UNICEF Lebanon Deputy Representative Violet Speek-Warnery – to whom quoted text below may be attributed – briefed journalists at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations.

"It has been nearly 10 days since the devastating explosions at Beirut’s port. The destruction, as you’ve all seen, is hard to fathom. And it happened in a context of an already collapsed economy, political instability and a surge in COVID-19 cases. From the outset, UNICEF has been with the Lebanese people, working to protect children and the health, water and education facilities that keep them safe.

"UNICEF’s revised appeal to reach 100,000 children with support and assistance over the next three months is $46.7 million dollars. It includes three major pillars - keeping children safe, rehabilitating the basic essential services that keep children safe and training and resources to equip thousands more adolescents with the skills they need.