
Ministry of Public Health and UNICEF launch ACWA Programme to support war-wounded children in Lebanon
NNA - In response to the urgent and growing needs of children affected by the war in Lebanon, the Ministry of Public Health, in partnership with UNICEF, is launching the "Assistance & Care for War-Wounded and Affected Children (ACWA)" Programme. Implemented in collaboration with the International Network for Aid, Relief, and Assistance (INARA) and The Ghassan Abu Sittah Children's Fund (GASCF), this initiative aims to provide comprehensive healthcare and protection services to children impacted by the latest war on Lebanon.
Minister of Public Health, Dr Rakan Nassereddine said: "In the face of unimaginable hardship, our children's resilience remains our nation's most precious asset. The 'Assistance & Care for War-Wounded and Affected Children (ACWA)' Programme, forged in partnership with UNICEF, INARA, and the Ghassan Abu Sittah Children's Fund, is a testament to our unwavering commitment to safeguarding their health and well-being. The children of Lebanon have endured unimaginable suffering. This initiative is a vital step in our unwavering commitment to providing them with the comprehensive healthcare and protection they urgently need. We will ensure that every child affected by this war receives the comprehensive care and support they desperately need to heal and rebuild their future"
The war, which began in October 2023 and escalated in September 2024, has left a devastating impact on children across the country. As of December 2024, the Ministry of Public Health has reported over 4,000 deaths, including 316 children, and nearly 1,500 injured children—many of whom have suffered life-altering injuries such as burns, fractures, and limb loss. These children are in desperate need of specialized medical care, rehabilitation, and psychological support.
"We cannot allow these children to be forgotten. They have already lost too much—family members, homes, their sense of security. Through this lifeline programme, it is our collective responsibility to ensure they do not lose their future" Said Ettie Higgins, UNICEF Deputy representative in Lebanon "This collaboration brings together a synergistic group of partners dedicated to responding effectively to the urgent needs of war-affected children, ensuring their right to healthcare, protection, and a path to recovery" he added.
Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta said: "An injured child has a growing body, and the injury hinders the child's growth. The goal of the 'ACWA' programme is to implement a comprehensive healing journey—from the moment of injury to reconstructive surgeries, physical rehabilitation, psychological support, and reintegration into society. Whether a child requires a prosthetic limb or educational intervention to mitigate the effects of war, our aim is to provide holistic care."
The ACWA programme takes a holistic approach to addressing children's physical, emotional, and social needs. It aims to provide life-saving medical care, including specialized surgeries and mental health support. Additionally, the programme offers specialized psychosocial support, case management, and referrals to essential services such as physiotherapy, disability aids, and the National Disability Allowance (NDA). The program also strengthens accountability, ensuring compliance with policies that protect children's rights.
The programme will be implemented nationwide, ensuring that the identified children and their families receive the necessary support despite the destruction of health facilities and the existing structural challenges in Lebanon's health and social systems. Caregivers and parents who have children injured during the war, can call the following hotline numbers +961 76 325 928, +961 76835307 to access the needed support.
-------------------
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


MTV Lebanon
3 days ago
- MTV Lebanon
MoPH: 3 injured in the airstrike on Ain Qana
A statement was issued by the Public Health Emergency Operations Center of the Ministry of Public Health, announcing that the Israeli enemy's airstrike on the town of Ain Qana in Nabatieh district resulted in three citizens being injured.


LBCI
28-05-2025
- LBCI
Health Minister receives UNHCR delegation informing him of decision to stop healthcare coverage for Syrian refugees
Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine received a delegation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), headed by the office representative in Lebanon, Ivo Freijsin. The delegation informed him of the UNHCR's decision to cease healthcare coverage for Syrian refugees residing in Lebanon and to halt support for various primary healthcare centers starting next November due to limited funding from donor countries. Nassereddine emphasized the necessity for the international community not to neglect its humanitarian responsibilities. He said: "Less than three months ago, Lebanon witnessed a new wave of displacement, which keeps the number of refugees very high relative to Lebanon's size and the capacity of its health system to bear additional major burdens." The Health Minister emphasized the importance of the UNHCR, in collaboration with key international partners, in finding ways to secure healthcare coverage for refugees and support the health services provided to them in primary care centers. He affirmed that there is no solution except securing international funding for healthcare and the treatment of refugees until their safe return to their country, calling in this regard for serious efforts to begin implementing a plan for their return to their home country after the situation there improves.


National News
25-04-2025
- National News
Sunday, April 27, 2025
NNA - Time Topic 8:30 am Public Health Minister Dr. Rakan Nassereddine participates in an awareness event organized by the Saeed Association for Colorectal Cancer Prevention under the title 'Every Step Makes a Difference', in Ain El Mreisseh. 9:00 am Official program begins, featuring speeches by Health Minister Dr. Rakan Nassereddine and WHO Representative in Lebanon Dr. Abdel Nasser Abou Bakr. 10:00 am Awareness walk from Ain El Mreisseh to the Military Bath and back. ************ 8:30 am The Syndicate of Opticians and Optometrists in Lebanon (SOOLB) and the Association of Licensed Optometrists in Lebanon (ALOO) hold their 20th and 8th respective conferences under the theme: 'A Vision for Future – 2nd Edition', at Le Royal Hotel – Dbayeh, under the patronage of Minister of Public Health Dr. Rakan Nassereddine. 1:00 pm The Islamic Group in Lebanon receives condolences for the martyrdom of Dr. Sheikh Hussein Ezzat Atwi, at Al-Barghout Hall – Al-Khashoggi Mosque. (Condolences continue until 4:00 PM) 6:00 pm The Universal Syriac Union Party hosts a memorial festival titled: 'From the Cross to the Resurrection, We Walked the Golgotha Road in Procession', marking the anniversary of the Armenian and Syriac Genocides. Venue: Municipal Palace Theater – Jdeideh, Bouchrieh, Sadd. 7:00 pm Commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Lebanese Red Cross martyrs, under the patronage of President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun, at the Roman Amphitheater in Zouk Mikael.