A new study by Save the Children examines how Lebanon’s worst fighting since 2006 broke down markets for children’s essentials, looking at whether families can still get basic supplies and if cash programs work after the ceasefire, according to the report.
The Child Sensitive Market Assessment focused on Baalbak, Beirut Suburbs, and Nabatieh districts where combat from September to November 2024 wrecked roads and supply chains during Lebanon’s ongoing economic meltdown. Researchers wanted to see how markets kept running during the violence and what role different vendors played in keeping families supplied.
Lebanon’s latest conflict hit while the country was already struggling with years of economic collapse that made basic goods expensive and hard to find. The fighting damaged warehouses and shops while forcing many vendors to shut down or move their businesses elsewhere. Families had trouble reaching markets safely while dealing with different risks for women, men, and children trying to buy food, medicine, and other necessities.
The study used interviews with vendors, community members, and local leaders to map how markets worked during the violence and what changed after the ceasefire. Researchers tracked price changes, supply problems, and access barriers while checking if humanitarian cash programs could help families buy what they need. They also looked at protection issues including possible child labor in businesses that popped up or changed because of the fighting.
Key questions focused on whether markets can handle cash programming now and through March 2025. The study explored which children’s items got hit hardest by the fighting and what market-based help might work best moving forward. Researchers also checked whether humanitarian aid helped or hurt local markets during the escalation.
The findings will help aid groups design better programs that work with local markets instead of disrupting them while making sure families can safely and cheaply access essential goods for their children.
