Lebanon: Funeral for children who died at sea of hunger and thirst

Two Lebanese children who died on ir way to eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus earlier this month were laid to rest in rrn Lebanese city of Tripoli on Friday.

ir bodies washed up on Leban's coast days after y died of hunger and thirst on boat that was carrying more than 40 people.

Or passengers also died or are missing.

Around three dozen of those on board boat were rescued by U.N. peacekeepers who brought m back to Leban.

In recent weeks, scores have tried to make same illicit sea crossing, attempting to flee a country facing multiple crises and an unprecedented ecomic and financial collapse.

Generations of Lebanese have emigrated due to war and conflict, including waves of Lebanese who traveled by boat legally to Cyprus during country's 1975-90 war.

But this new flight - people risking ir lives to make illegal crossings in rickety fishing boats to escape poverty - reflects a level of desperation country has t seen before.

Tens of thousands of people have lost ir jobs in past months.

local currency has lost 80% of its value, ericating purchasing power of many in this tiny country of 5 million where corruption and mismanment are widespre.

Unemployment has reached a soaring 35% and poverty is skyrocketing.