Many Lebanese children do not attend schools for economic reasons, whether because they have to work to support their families or because their families cannot afford school-related expenses. The deteriorating economic conditions in Lebanon since the civil war have negatively affected gross school enrollment rates dramatically.

Health services for poor and marginalized groups are often highly dispersed and severely under-resourced, while development aid is often fragmented because of a lack of coordination among donors and providers. In Lebanon, the health sector is largely privatized. Thus, while 50% of the population has medical insurance, the other half relies on Ministry of Health reimbursements for a portion of their medical bills. Out-of-pocket costs, however, are increasing, causing healthcare to become unaffordable for a growing number of people, especially the poor and those living in underserved areas of Lebanon.

While Lebanon is generally known for its recognition of the rights of girls and women, problems remain. The Makassed Association’s commitment to improving the lives of and opportunities for women dates back to Makassed founding in 1878, when it established two schools for girls in Beirut.

Although Lebanon is a small country, the ongoing crisis in Syria has dramatically altered its population and its demography and, by extension, exacerbated its social and economic problems. According to Lebanese officials thousands of Syrian refugees are officially registered in Lebanon, however, “the total may be twice than that.”