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

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

Their bodies washed up on Lebanon's coast days after they died of hunger and thirst on the boat that was carrying more than 40 people.

Other passengers also died or are missing.

Around three dozen of those on board the boat were rescued by U.N. peacekeepers who brought them back to Lebanon.

In recent weeks, scores have tried to make the same illicit sea crossing, attempting to flee a country facing multiple crises and an unprecedented economic 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 the country's 1975-90 war.

But this new flight - people risking their lives to make illegal crossings in rickety fishing boats to escape poverty - reflects a level of desperation the country has not seen before.

Tens of thousands of people have lost their jobs in the past months.

The local currency has lost 80% of its value, eradicating the purchasing power of many in this tiny country of 5 million where corruption and mismanagement are widespread.

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