Norway increases support for education in Lebanon

Mr Brende, together with   UN Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown, has invited potential   donors to a conference to raise more money for education in Lebanon, which   will be held in Washington today. The authorities in Lebanon, together with UNICEF,   the World Bank and other organisations, have drawn up a plan for providing   education for 400 000 refugee children from Syria as well as poor   Lebanese children.  

‘Every tenth person in   Lebanon today is a Syrian child. Lebanon is a small country that has come   under huge pressure, and the task of ensuring education for the refugee   children, and at the same time maintaining schooling for Lebanese children,   is colossal. The authorities in Lebanon and their partners deserve our full   support,’ said Mr Brende.

The conflict in Syria has   forced more than 11 million people to flee their homes. Of all the   neighbouring countries, it is Lebanon that has borne the greatest burden.   Altogether, the country has received more than 1,2 million refugees from   Syria.

Norway’s support, which   amounts to NOK 45 million, includes funding for both humanitarian and   long-term development efforts. Norway’s humanitarian contribution will be   part of a NOK  150 million package to provide education and protection for children in   Syria and its neighbouring countries. The funding will be channelled through   UNICEF, the World Bank, Save the Children, and the Norwegian Refugee Council.   

So far this year, Norway’s   humanitarian support for the victims of the Syrian crisis has amounted to NOK   750 million.

Mr Brende is currently in   Washington to take part in the World Bank–IMF spring meetings.

Press   contact: Veslemøy Lothe Salvesen (accompanying the Foreign Minister): +47   99568584.