UNRWA is pleased to announce a contribution of EUR 1 million from the Government of Italy to a 12-month project aimed at enhancing the social integration of vulnerable Palestine Refugees in Lebanon by improving inclusive education services and support for people with disabilities.
The project will foster inclusive education services by supporting children with special education needs and disabilities in UNRWA schools, as well as improving access to both structured and unstructured psychosocial activities. It will also support people with disabilities by providing mobility devices, facilitating access to therapeutic services, and offering individualized follow-up support for children with disabilities enrolled in specialized institutions, thereby strengthening their external support system.
The Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, Dorothee Klaus, said: “UNRWA is firmly committed to creating an inclusive educational environment that values the unique learning styles of every student. We aim to dismantle obstacles that impede the full participation of children with disabilities in our schools. With this generous support from the Italian government, we will significantly improve our capacity to identify and assist children with disabilities, providing essential resources for both them and our educators to foster a genuinely inclusive learning environment.”
This project is critically important amid the escalation of violence in Lebanon, which has compounded existing challenges faced by the Palestine Refugee community in the country, notably because the vulnerability of children often intensifies during and after disasters and conflict.
Whether or not they are living with disabilities, many children in Lebanon are navigating changed family dynamics amid the escalation. For children with disabilities, access to essential equipment including mobility devices, along with tailored psychosocial support, can significantly enhance their overall well-being.
“By addressing their unique needs, the project contributes to fostering psychosocial resilience, promoting a more stable family and community life, and improving dignity and independence for children in displacement settings. This support is not just essential for their current situation but also lays the groundwork for a more hopeful future,” said Klaus.
Fabrizio Marcelli, Ambassador of Italy to Lebanon, said: “While the humanitarian context in Lebanon continues to deteriorate, education and protection remain fundamental pillars for the future of the most vulnerable children. As we call for an immediate ceasefire, we are simultaneously increasing humanitarian assistance to civilians: this contribution to UNRWA, a longstanding partner in the effort to ensure that all children have the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe and inclusive environment, is part of a larger envelope of 28M euro Italy has immediately allocated to respond to the most pressing needs in Lebanon.”
Alessandra Piermattei, Head of the Beirut office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), added: “This contribution will support the social integration and protection of vulnerable children, guaranteeing over 12,000 Palestine Refugee children, including those with disabilities, access to quality, inclusive and equitable education, and promoting their social inclusion and participation in community life.”
Italy has long been one of UNRWA’s most reliable donors. In 2023, Italy’s overall contribution to UNRWA amounted to US$ 1.46 million. Italy’s continuous support is of critical importance in view of the particularly dramatic conditions in which the Palestine Refugees in Lebanon are living.
