QFFD signs MoU for repairing Beirut schools
In order to provide the necessary support for a project aiming at rebuilding damaged schools following August’s Beirut explosion and ensuring the educational process continuity, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Lebanese Ministry of Education in co-operation with Education Above All Foundation (EAA) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). Sponsored by QFFD, EAA and Unesco have joined hands for the sake of repairing 55 schools, 20 technical and vocational education and training (TVET) centres and three universities in Beirut.
MoU signed as part of undertaking of His Highness the Amir to contribute to reconstruction process of Beirut Sponsored by QFFD, EAA and Unesco join hands for initiative to repair 55 schools, 20 technical and vocational education and training centres and three universities in Beirut
In order to provide the necessary support for a project aiming at rebuilding damaged schools following August’s Beirut explosion and ensuring the educational process continuity, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Lebanese Ministry of Education in co-operation with Education Above All Foundation (EAA) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
Sponsored by QFFD, EAA and Unesco have joined hands for the sake of repairing 55 schools, 20 technical and vocational education and training (TVET) centres and three universities in Beirut. This is within the framework of ensuring the continuity of learning and enabling children and youth’s access to their right to education and its practice, according to a press statement by EAA.
“The memorandum has been signed as a part of the undertaking of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Amir of Qatar, to contribute to the reconstruction process of Beirut. That undertaking was given during the Paris Conference of Donors, held under the auspices of the UN with the participation of different world leaders and presidents. The conference was held in an effort to raise funds in favour of the Lebanese people following the Beirut Port explosion,” Khalifa bin Jassim al-Kuwari, director-general of QFFD, asserted.
“Since the beginning of the crisis, the State of Qatar has taken actions through building field hospitals and sending air bridges on an urgent basis to secure the necessary assistance for Lebanese brothers and sisters. This MoU constitutes a complementary element of Qatar’s humanitarian duty. It is also the product of brotherhood bonds, in terms of solidarity and fulfilment of its duty and commitment represented in providing this country with the necessary support,” alKuwari added.
Fahad al-Sulaiti, CEO of EAA, said: “This partnership will help provide children and young people in Lebanon with access to safe, quality education to ensure that they have the opportunity to succeed in life. The partnership between Education Above All Foundation and Unesco will help the people of Lebanon overcome this challenging period and ensure that the heavily damaged education sector is rebuilt and rehabilitated following the recent unfortunate event.”
“We express our sincere gratitude for QFFD’s support provided to rehabilitate educational buildings in Beirut. It constitutes an essential component of the reconstruction process in Beirut following the destructive explosion at the Port,” said Tariq Mohamed al-Majzoub, Lebanon’s Minister of Education and Higher
Education. The Beirut Port explosion occurred on August 4. Some 207 private and public schools were damaged, affecting more than 85,000 students as well as 7,600 male and female teachers. In addition, 20 schools for TVET were damaged, affecting at least 7,300 trainees. “From this standpoint, the State of Qatar responded to fill the deficit in the heavily damaged educational sector in Lebanon. Because education must continue, this stems from the humanitarian duty of the State of Qatar and its commitment to support the people of Lebanon,” the statement added.