Beirut, 15 March 2023 (TDI): The United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed visited a center for street children in Beirut, Lebanon.
During her visit, she said that “Children should be allowed to be children, they should enjoy their rights to education, to health, to a safe environment and to not feeling the pressures of an adult at a child’s age.”
In Lebanon, I visited a Drop-In Center in Bourj Hammoud. This UNICEF-supported programme provides services to children and their caregivers.
Every child has the right to be nurtured, cared for and protected. pic.twitter.com/Jk8FIRUzBV
— Amina J Mohammed (@AminaJMohammed) March 13, 2023
She also added that the UN and its agencies have vowed to take constructive steps to mitigate the issues of street children. The multidimensional poverty created challenges for street children and women with disabilities.
Also, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), supported a Drop-in Center for Street Children in Beirut, and Amina Mohammed engaged herself there with the children through an art activity.
She stated that these kids are incredible with art skills and hope for the future. The Drop-in Center provides psychosocial, medical, educational, and social protection support for street-connected children.
In this center, the kids also enjoy recreational activities that are important for positive growth. These activities are operated and supported by UNICEF and partners Terres des Hommes Lausanne and Mouvement Social.
Tamam Mroue, Executive Director of Mouvement Social, said that the organization is fully supporting the required services to meet the needs of children.
The investment in children’s protection, development, and well-being is significant to ensure the rights of children. About 1.8 million children in Lebanon are facing abuse, such as child labor and child marriage.
UN-Women supports a community kitchen in Lebanon that is established by the Lebanese Union for People with Physical Disabilities (LUPD), Amina Mohammed also engaged with the women and joined them in preparing a meal.
Amid misery prevailing in Lebanon, this place provides comfort and support to women with disabilities.
Moreover, women here are provided with diverse opportunities that are helping them to realize their worth, and value, and learn to become more confident, ambitious, and hopeful.
These children and women are an asset that would contribute to Lebanon’s economy in a positive manner.
