Beneath the Surface: The Growing Threat of Malnutrition and the Education Gap Going Unseen

In a country where every door conceals a tale, Lebanon grapples with the turmoil of economic crisis and currency devaluation. Beyond these thresholds, families lie down every night with empty bellies, and children attend school, seeking knowledge on an unfed stomach. A stark reality underscores the critical need for parents to overcome these challenges and take the additional step of enrolling their children in school. Education is the key to unlocking a brighter future for young minds, enabling them to pursue their dreams and aspirations, and breaking free from the cycle of food insecurity and poverty. A recent UNICEF study reveals a harsh fact: 86 per cent[1] of households can no longer afford basic needs. This figure underlines the pressing need for urgent solutions, particularly for vulnerable children.

Confronting Malnutrition

 In Baalbek, ten-year-old Mustafa and his mother manage with limited resources. After having only bread for dinner due to their economic circumstances, Mustafa finds himself facing another challenge. The lack of electricity makes the room pitch black, and he hesitates to go to the bathroom, fearing the intense darkness. “Growing up, I would often watch videos of burgers on my mother's phone, mesmerized by their appearance. Yet, I have never had the chance to taste one. My meals are always simple: thyme and boiled potatoes with bread” says Mustafa.

As Mustafa's body experiences the effects of malnutrition, The World Food Programme's estimation reveals that approximately 1.4 million individuals[2] in Lebanon face severe food insecurity.

“He is ten years old, and he's noticeably thin for his age. His adult teeth have not come in yet. He hardly eats because I struggle to cover all the expenses. I have to pay the rent, fund his education, and manage everything in between. Even the bread we get from the grocery store is on credit, which I slowly pay off throughout the month” says Muntaha, Mustafa’s mother. Coming from Syria in 2017 and residing in this small room, Mustafa’s only caregiver is his mother, whose main concern is her only son's future. She constantly wonders what will happen to him if anything were to happen to her. She adds "In his pursuit of education, I wish for nothing but his success. Yet, attending school on an empty stomach is a challenge. One must be nourished to truly concentrate and meet academic responsibilities."

A few kilometres away, in a different home, behind a different door, a father confronts the distressing reality of not being able to afford even milk for his two young daughters, Rahaf, aged 9, and Reemas, only 6 years old. In July, Lebanon was ranked second globally for food inflation, having faced a 280% rise year-on-year.[3]

"At school, I struggle to concentrate. I keep asking my teacher to explain things again, but she gets frustrated and snaps at me” admits Rahaf.

Her father, a physiotherapist, travels door-to-door, working tirelessly to earn a living and provide for his family. “Rahaf appears smaller than most kids her age, leading to episodes of fainting at school and persistent knee pain that keeps her awake all night. On the other hand, Reemas faces a different challenge; she lost her baby teeth, and it has been a year without any sign of her adult ones emerging. I cannot afford to give them milk or the essential nutrients they need. We used to provide them with iron supplements and milk, but now, even the cost of the iron supplement is beyond our means. We just can't manage it anymore” says Fares, the father.

Stunted Growth, Stunted Aspirations

“Fifteen per cent of households stopped their children’s education, up from 10 per cent a year ago, and 52 per cent reduced spending on education, compared to 38 per cent a year ago” [4]– UNICEF, June 2023.

The deteriorating statistics showing the levels of need vividly illustrates the path that awaits the country's next generation. Marked by challenges such as illiteracy, unemployment, and an unrelenting cycle of poverty, leading to a difficult and unhappy life.

In Akkar, resides a family of five children along with their parents. While the two elder sons chose to leave school to assist their parents with work, 17-year-old Intissar, who found herself having to abandon her education due to the reality of their situation.

"After my baccalaureate 1, my parents made the difficult decision for me to leave school, and it has been tough being at home all the time. I had dreams of pursuing a career in medicine, driven by my love for biology and chemistry" says Intissar.

She adds “While I am at home, I lend a hand to my mother with household chores, and in the evenings, I find solace in reading books about various subjects. Occasionally, I have the chance to meet my cousin, who lives a bit farther away and is still attending school. I engage with her in discussions about the new topics she is studying, subjects I never had the opportunity to explore. My ambition is to resume my education journey, regardless of whether I'm in my thirties, married, or have children."

“For girls like me, education holds immense importance as it provides the means to be self-reliant, despite not being a common choice in our community. It is important to realize that marriage and caring for a family are not the only paths for girls.” With these words, Intissar empowers every girl to fulfil her dreams. 

 "I made every effort to enrol her in school for the academic year, but each time, I was met with the same response: an increase in school fees that we simply couldn't afford. Her father left the military when she was just one year old, following his father's passing, to take over the family mini-market. Regrettably, the business faced financial difficulties and eventually closed. Now, he works as a daily worker, taking on any work he can find to support our family” says Zawat, Intissar’s mother.

While the future remains uncertain, the present challenges of malnutrition and the hardship of dropping out of school pose a significant threat to these children's well-being. Given Mustafa's current circumstances, will he be able to continue his education and achieve his dream of becoming an archaeologist, uncovering the hidden treasures he so passionately talks about? Will Rahaf ever find relief from her nightly knee pain and be able to focus in school? Could Intissar ever go back to school and become the doctor she dreams of, showing young girls like her that no obstacle is too big for their dreams? The path our country takes tomorrow is determined by today's challenges. Limited access to proper nutrition for children and increasing school dropouts today are laying the groundwork for rising unemployment and declining literacy rates in the upcoming years. These challenges will place a heavier burden on the state, necessitating the allocation of additional resources to support its communities.