UNICEF Reports 500,000 Children in Lebanon Unable to Attend School Amid Ongoing Conflict

UNICEF has revealed that approximately 500,000 children in Lebanon are unable to attend school due to the devastating impacts of ongoing conflict and socioeconomic challenges, Anadolu Agency reported. During a recent UN briefing, Ettie Higgins, UNICEF’s deputy representative in Lebanon, provided alarming insights into the situation facing children in the region.

Higgins emphasized the severe trauma and hardship inflicted on children as a result of Israeli airstrikes, particularly in densely populated areas like Baalbek and the Bekaa Valley. Despite a ceasefire declared in November, many children remain vulnerable, suffering not only from physical threats but also from acute food insecurity. “More than half of children under the age of 2 in eastern Lebanon are experiencing severe food shortages, more than double compared to last year,” Higgins stated.

The humanitarian crisis has been exacerbated by economic instability, teacher strikes, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have all contributed to a fragile education system. UNICEF’s report noted that over 25% of children were still out of school last month, highlighting the urgent need for international support and intervention to address this escalating crisis and protect the rights and well-being of Lebanon’s children.