UNICEF Warns 100,000 Lebanese Children Unable to Attend School This Year

JAKARTA - The inability to rebuild schools that were damaged and destroyed by the Israeli attacks left about 100 thousand Lebanese children without hope of going to school again this year.

"At least 100,000 children in Lebanon could lose their place of study when the new school year begins, unless urgent steps are taken before September to repair and restore schools damaged by the recent conflict," UNICEF said in a statement.

The national assessment conducted by the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education and technically supported by UNICEF in June, showed that 340 schools in Lebanon were damaged or destroyed, including public and private educational institutions and technical and vocational training centers.

The UN agency said 17 schools were completely destroyed.

The damage occurred in the provinces most affected by the conflict, including Nabatiyeh, South Lebanon, Bekaa, Baalbek-Hermel, Beirut, and Mount Lebanon.

According to him, a number of schools only suffered partial damage, but many needed major repairs or even reconstruction before they could accommodate students.

UNICEF is a special program of the United Nations dedicated to protecting children's rights, expanding access to education, health, nutrition, and well-being for children and mothers in more than 190 countries and territories.

UNICEF was established on December 11, 1946, initially the UN agency focused on providing emergency assistance in the form of food and health care for children affected by World War II. Now, its mandate has been expanded for long-term development and protection of children's rights.