Attachments
Background
Since October 2023, Lebanon has faced a sharp escalation in conflict, severely impacting southern Beirut, the South, and Bekaa governorates. By early 2025, over one million people were affected, with significant damage to homes, businesses, and schools. As a result, children's access to education was severely disrupted with. An estimated of 25% of conflict-affected children were unable to re-enroll in school. Financial barriers, displacement, and infrastructure damage were among the primary causes. This situation underscored the urgent need to support school-aged children while simultaneously strengthening school disaster preparedness.
Who was Supported and How
In response to these needs, the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) implemented the Red Education Initiative in May 2025. The initiative targeted two public schools in conflict-affected areas, aiming to enhance access to education and improve disaster preparedness using a Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) approach. Over the course of one month, the project completed school profiling, conducted Vulnerability and Capacity Assessments and focus group discussions, formed school-based resilience committees, facilitated Disaster Risk Reduction awareness sessions and trainings, and distributed educational kits and safety equipment. This initiative is part the IFRC Children Affected by Armed Conflict Project. The project is possible thanks to funding by the Government of Norway.