NNA - Caretaker Minister of Social Affairs, Wael Abou Faour, expressed Monday deep concern over the calamitous condition of Arab children, which would ultimately put the future of the Arab world in jeopardy.


The Ministry of Social Affairs-Higher Council for Childhood is hosting the nineteenth session of the Committee of Arab Childhood at Holiday Inn Hotel in Beirut, with the participation of twelve Arab countries.


Minister Mouna Samir Kamel gave the word of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, lauding the efforts exerted by the Lebanese state and people to meet the needs of displaced Syrian children, who amount to a staggering four hundred thousand children. She explained that the objective was to establish a mechanism for Arab children that would be the foundation for all issues pertaining to children, particularly mapping a plan to ensure rights of children during emergencies.


"The condition of Arab children is dismal," Abou Faour said in his word, "which means that the future of Arabs is not well."


Despite progress on the legislative level, Abou Faour was not optimistic about the current state of affairs. Many of the recent legislations did not have a viable application mechanism. Moreover, social, educational and health services for children were on the decline.


Concerning displaced Syrian children, the caretaker Minister was disappointed by the lack of interest expressed by the Arab League.


"I hope that this gathering held under the title of childhood, as children are the victims most effected by the Syrian displacement, will result in a clear recommendation and demand from all member countries to give adequate attention to this issue. This is not only about the current crisis; it is about the future of Syria, the future of an Arab nation."



=============R.Z.