War in the Middle East: World more concerned by politics than the humanitarian fallout

Genie Godula is pleased to welcome Salim OWEIS, Communication Officer, UNICEF MENA. According to Mr. OWEIS, the humanitarian situation in the region is deteriorating at an alarming pace, particularly for children. What we are witnessing is not only an escalation in violence, but the normalisation of suffering: a condition in which displacement, trauma, and the loss of basic services are becoming embedded in everyday life. He says the crisis must be understood not solely through numbers, but through its cumulative human impact. Each day adds layers of disruption to children’s physical safety, mental health, and future prospects. As the conflict expands geographically, so too does the climate of fear and instability, affecting countries beyond immediate zones of violence.