Italy and UNRWA Support Vulnerable Palestine Refugee Children Through Inclusive Education Initiative

BEIRUT,

UNRWA and the Government of Italy have officially launched a newly funded initiative for at-risk Palestine Refugee children in Lebanon, with a focus on children with disabilities and special education needs.

The project, "Promoting Resilience and Social Well-Being of At-Risk Palestine Refugee Children, with a Specific Focus on Children with Disabilities and Special Education Needs," builds on Italy's longstanding partnership with UNRWA and its commitment to advancing inclusive education across Lebanon. It aims to expand access to safe, quality, and supportive learning environments through the provision of inclusive education services and assistive devices.

The launch took place during a 10 December visit to Dbayeh camp by Italy's Ambassador, Fabrizio Marcelli accompanied by the Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, Dorothee Klaus. Senior representatives from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and from Lebanon's Ministry of Education and Higher Education also attended.

A key component of the project is the rehabilitation of the UNRWA school in Dbayeh Camp. Home to just over 1,700 residents, the camp has a distinctive socio-historical background with Christians making up the majority of its population. It has lacked an operational school since 1978 due to extensive structural damage during the civil war in Lebanon, forcing children to attend schools outside the camp or to drop out because of high transport costs.

The launch was also attended by the First Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature to Lebanon, Msgr. Jakub Tomaszewski, highlighting the importance of including all Palestine Refugee communities in development.

With Italy's support, the school rehabilitation will restore an essential community facility and provide a safe and inclusive learning space for approximately 150 Palestine Refugee children living in Dbayeh. Once fully operational, the school will have the capacity to serve up to 500 students, including children from neighbouring host communities, helping promote social cohesion and equitable access to education.

"Education and protection remain fundamental pillars for the future of the most vulnerable children," said Dorothy Klaus, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon. "With Italy's support, UNRWA in Lebanon is strengthening its ability to identify and assist children with disabilities, as well as include children from communities that may have been overlooked, to ensure that every child, regardless of their needs, can learn, grow and thrive in a safe and supportive environment."

Highlighting Italy's continued commitment to Palestine Refugee children, Italy's Ambassador to Lebanon, Fabrizio Marcelli said, "This initiative is a concrete sign of Italy's unwavering commitment to education and protection for all children. This new €2 million contribution, part of an overall of €5 million allocated since 2023, is a vital investment in their future. Education promotes hope and peace, and Italy remains committed to supporting all Palestine Refugee children in Lebanon."

Italy's continuous support is of critical importance in view of the particularly dramatic conditions in which the Palestine Refugees in Lebanon are living.

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UNRWAis the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency's area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.

UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.

UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.

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