Lebanon
Save the Children started working in Lebanon in 1949, providing assistance to Palestinian refugees.
Our work in Lebanon
Focusing on poor and marginalised communities, we work closely with students, parents, teachers, partner organisations and local education authorities to ensure that all children are able to go to school and participate effectively in their lessons.
Together, this wider 'school community' is supported to draw up development plans to address awareness of children's rights and matters such as access to clean drinking water, additional classes and the creation of safe play areas.
Azzat clutches her son, Hussein, as a bomb explodes close by. The conflict in Lebanon killed more than 1,000 people, including more than 400 children.
During the conflict with Israel families used Al-Sanayeh Public Gardens in Beruit as a refuge whilst they were forced to leave their homes.
Mari Morth, a child protection officer for Save the Children, talking to displaced children who were sheltering in the local school in Jezzine.
Displaced children are encouraged to make drawings of their experiences of the conflict with Israel.
The Balhas family's house was bombed to rubble. Up to 800,000 people are estimated to be displaced from the fighting - approximately 25% of the population.
Diyaa and Mustafa play with hoops provided by Save the Children, from play kits given to displaced children who have suffered from severe emotional distress.
Education
A key part of our education work is ensuring that children are involved in the decisions that affect them. Children in 24 schools and refugee camps have started to identify ways to improve their schools and their lives in general.
We also run holiday activities for children, tailoring activities to meet needs as identified by the communities we work with.
Recent activities include awareness campaigns on health and safety, computer classes and support classes to provide additional tutoring in core subjects.
During the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006 we provided medical supplies, hygiene kits and set up safe play areas.
We also provided training to 74 health workers on breastfeeding and correct use of infant formula.
And our regional experts supported the Higher Council of Childhood to develop a national plan of action to support children affected by the war and their families.
Our work in the Middle East
Save the Children UK has a long history of helping children across the Middle East. Our earliest records from the 1930s detail examples including support to mother and baby clinics in Haifa and our assistance to Armenian refugees in Syria.
Learn more about our work in the Middle East, visit our pages on our work in Egypt, Iraq, the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Syria.
Lebanon related news stories
- Wednesday 6 June 2007 Children still caught in the crossfire at refugee camp in Lebanon
- As the crisis at the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp near Tripoli enters its third week, several thousand children and family members remain trapped inside the camp, caught in the middle of a continuing conflict between the Lebanese army and the armed faction.
- Tuesday 29 May 2007 Urgent need for humanitarian help for children caught in the crossfire in Lebanon
- Food, water, medical supplies and electricity are running low for the thousands of people trapped by the fighting in refugee camp Nahr al Bared, near Tripoli in Lebanon.
