#Education Cannot Wait #Lebanon #Beirut #Maysa Jalbout

Urgent Support for Lebanon's Children

On April 2, 2026, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) made a significant announcement regarding its renewed commitment to Lebanon's education sector during a critical humanitarian situation. The new ECW Director, Maysa Jalbout, visited Lebanon for her first official mission to emphasize the importance of addressing educational disruptions faced by children amidst escalating crises, including a severe economic collapse and conflicts in the region.

In a meeting held with Lebanon's Minister of Education, H.E. Rima Karami, as well as partners from UNICEF and Save the Children, Jalbout highlighted the urgent needs for children caught in these crises and the need for a coordinated, immediate response. ECW aims to provide emergency funding that ensures access to education and support services for more than 150,000 children who are currently at risk of exclusion from the educational system due to conflict-related disruptions.

Context of the Crisis

Lebanon is in the grips of an ongoing humanitarian crisis that has left over one million people displaced, affecting around 250,000 children within its public school system. This situation has been compounded by years of economic challenges and natural disasters, such as the Beirut port explosion, creating an urgent need for assistance and support in education. Without intervention, many children will face prolonged educational setbacks, entrenching cycles of poverty and affecting their mental and emotional well-being.

ECW's Response

To tackle these challenges head-on, ECW announced a multi-faceted emergency response focusing on providing safe learning environments, psychosocial support, and protective services to vulnerable children. Beyond immediate aid, ECW plans to develop a long-term investment strategy within six months to strengthen the resilience of Lebanon's educational infrastructure.

Maysa Jalbout stated, "Education Cannot Wait stands with the children of Lebanon. Education during crises is essential to children's mental health, protection, and future. With our partners, we will do everything we can to help 150,000 children resume their learning. The needs are far greater than any single actor can meet."

Her sentiments were echoed by Minister Rima Karami, who stressed the importance of collective action, stating, "Lebanon has carried the weight of successive crises for many decades, and today we are once again called to protect our children and our future. This crisis is not only creating new needs – it is threatening the stability that the Lebanese people have sacrificed so much to maintain. We must act collectively and differently."

Prioritizing Key Areas

This initiative centers on several crucial priorities:
1. Localization and National Ownership - Significant resources will be channeled through local actors and partners, ensuring that support is grounded in the community's needs.
2. Equity and Inclusion - The program emphasizes equal access to education for all, focusing on marginalized groups, including girls and children with disabilities.
3. Learning Continuity and Quality - Maintaining immediate access to education while improving long-term learning outcomes is essential.
4. Well-being and Protection - Integrating mental health and psychosocial support into educational services is a top priority to support healing and resilience.
5. Flexibility and Adaptability - The approach will allow rapid adjustments based on the evolving situation on the ground.

Call for Support

Education Cannot Wait encourages donor governments, philanthropic organizations, and private sector partners to join this important effort to ensure children's educational needs are met amidst crises. ECW has previously invested over $25.8 million in Lebanon, reaching more than 826,000 children affected by violent conflicts.

As global crises increasingly threaten children's education worldwide, the need for immediate and scalable support has never been more pressing. Each contribution can make a difference, ensuring that children in Lebanon not only access education but also receive the essential support they need to thrive amid adversity.

For more information and ways to contribute, visit Education Cannot Wait's official website.