UNICEF Reports Half a Million Lebanese Children Unable to Attend School Due to Conflict
UNICEF reports that 500,000 children in Lebanon are currently unable to attend school due to the impact of ongoing conflict and socioeconomic difficulties. This crisis is worsened by military actions, food insecurity, and an unstable educational system as highlighted by UNICEF’s deputy representative, Ettie Higgins.
UNICEF has reported that the ongoing conflict in Lebanon has rendered approximately 500,000 children unable to attend school. During a press briefing in Geneva, Ettie Higgins, UNICEF’s deputy representative in Lebanon, emphasized the severe impact of Israel’s persistent military actions. She noted that children are not only suffering from trauma but also from the detrimental effects of a crumbling educational system.
Higgins highlighted specific regions, such as Baalbek and the Bekaa Valley, which have been heavily affected by airstrikes, exacerbating the plight of children who face physical dangers and food scarcity. The situation is dire, especially among the youngest, where over half of children under two years old in these areas suffer from severe food insecurity, a rate that has more than doubled in a year.
The humanitarian crisis is further complicated by economic issues, teacher strikes, and the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, all of which strain the fragile educational infrastructure. Although a ceasefire was declared in November, the educational landscape remains bleak, with UNICEF reporting that more than 25% of children were still out of school last month.
The situation for children in Lebanon remains critical, with significant barriers to education and increasing food insecurity. UNICEF’s findings underscore the urgent need for international attention and support to address these humanitarian challenges. The ongoing military actions, compounded by economic instability and the aftermath of the pandemic, create a precarious environment for the youth of Lebanon.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
