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Recent Israeli attacks across Lebanon have killed thousands of people, including hundreds of children, and forced over a million people to flee their homes.  Nearly half of public school students in the country have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict and the Lebanese government is setting up over 900 collective shelters to accommodate up to a fifth of the country’s population. These shelters are largely located in public schools, as educational institutions across the country have been closed and classes suspended as a result of the attacks. 

In the midst of this extremely challenging and unpredictable situation, Teach For Lebanon is responding to the emerging needs of children impacted by the escalating violence, with ongoing support from  Teach For All’s regional team and Education in Emergencies initiative. Together with our global community, we continue to hope fervently for a just and immediate resolution to this conflict.

Teach For Lebanon is collaborating with the Ministry of Education and many other international organizations to ensure that displaced children in shelters, as well as students who are confined to their homes due to school closures, continue to have access to quality education. Many of their dedicated fellows and alumni have already stepped up to volunteer at nearby shelters, providing invaluable support that extends far beyond education.

“As we approach the fifth consecutive year of interrupted education in Lebanon, the stark reality is clear—most of our children are already two years behind in their learning. Many schools, now functioning as shelters, will remain out of use for the foreseeable future, as those taking refuge in them have no homes to return to,” said Teach For Lebanon’s Executive Director Janine Weber-el Meouchy. “This is our calling—to provide learning and education in every available setting—because if we fail to act now, our children will fall even further behind. We are determined to ensure that these children do not lose their education—and with it, their potential to build a better future for themselves and for Lebanon. Our mission remains resolute—we will make learning possible, no matter the circumstances.”

Additionally, the organization is adapting its resources to provide social and emotional learning, offering training for their fellows and tailored support for children. It is also expanding its "Call & Learn” hotline project, launched last year in collaboration with UNICEF, which provides educational support over the phone. To date, the hotline has fielded over 55,000 individual student calls. Now, the organization is working to increase its impact by bringing more fellows on board and recruiting more teachers to reach displaced children across the country.

You can support Teach For Lebanon’s continuing efforts here  (or here if you are US-based) and learn more about their work on their website or by following them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.