Since the double explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, nearly 85,000 schoolchildren in the capital could be deprived of school.
One in four children is at risk of being deprived of school, warns the non-governmental organization International Rescue Committee (IRC) on Monday, September 28. This is one of the dramatic consequences of the double explosion that hit the port of Beirut on August 4.
A total of 163 schools were damaged during the gigantic explosion which left 190 dead and 6,500 injured, unfortunately the reconstruction of schools will take several months. “Over 85,000 students were enrolled in damaged schools. It will take up to a year to rebuild the most destroyed buildings ”, alerts IRC director in Lebanon, Mohammad Nasser.
Risks of dropping out of school
A tedious and above all slow reconstruction, which worries the parents, in particular vis-à-vis the additional costs and the safety of their child. "We expect to see far fewer children enrolled in schools and to have a high dropout rate as the year progresses.", according to the organization. Many children may be forced to work to help their struggling families.
"A collective betrayal"
Lebanese schools have still not reopened, due to an increase in Covid-19 cases in the country in recent weeks. Thus, the start of the school year for schoolchildren has been postponed to mid-October. Indeed, since February, Lebanon has recorded more than 35,000 cases of contamination, including at least 340 deaths.
A political situation much criticized, in particular by President Emmanuel Macron, this Sunday, September 27, during a press conference organized at the Elysee Palace. He denounced the leaders of the country under maximum pressure by denouncing "a collective betrayal". "I am ashamed" for the Lebanese leaders, launched the French president in a serious tone. Lebanese parties "bear full responsibility" of this failure, and "it will be heavy", he added.