It just takes one day

See what happens when a child is forced to flee

One day. That’s all it takes for a child’s life to completely change — to become one of 123 million forcibly displaced children.  Behind numbers this large are deeply personal moments of loss and fear. Through my years of humanitarian work, I’ve seen urgency in parents' eyes and confusion on children's faces. I’ve seen how tightly they clutch the only toy they could grab when they were suddenly forced to flee.  It’s the first day of a long journey as a refugee. Today, on World Refugee Day, I hope you can join me in recognizing millions of people — particularly children — for their perseverance and bravery, but also the suffering they experience while on the move. Will you take a few minutes to learn more about World Refugee Day and how you can help children and their families who have been displaced?   Day 1 of displacement is disorienting for a child whose home has just been struck by a bomb, whose community is terrorized by violence, whose future suddenly depends on strangers and access to aid.  In Lebanon, 8-year-old Mira* knows that feeling too well. When intense bombing forced her family to flee, there was no time to pack or say goodbye.  Every day, she misses the small comforts that once made her feel safe. “The things I miss the most are my room, my bed, my toys and home,” she says.   13-year-old Layan*, Mira’s sister, was also displaced by war. In fact, this is her second time being displaced after the recent escalation in Lebanon.  She misses her routine and spending time with loved ones, like Friday Prayer and her grandfather’s home in the south. “I miss my classmates, my teachers, my village and everything,” she says.  Today, Mira and Layan live in a school-turned-shelter with their mother, sister, aunt and two cousins. Save the Children has provided food kits, hygiene essentials and bedding to meet their basic needs. We’re also helping them cope with distress through educational and mental health support activities.  With support from people like you, Mira and Layan are out of harm's way. But for millions of displaced children, the journey has just begun. Watch your inbox for Day 3 of a child’s journey: the day families finally reach a displacement camp. In the meantime, learn more about World Refugee Day and what life is like for children who are displaced in an instant >> With appreciation,  Nora Ingdal Lebanon Country Director  Save the Children     Privacy Policy | Contact | Unsubscribe   © 2026 Save the Children Federation, Inc. 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 400 Fairfield, CT 06825 1-800-728-3843 Photo: Save the Children *Names changed for protection