During her visit, Hayek said “millions of children have been robbed of their childhood, their country and have lost their loved ones,” adding that “these children are missing out on their education and are having to work to provide for their families.”
Hayek met with refugee children and aid workers who are providing a safe environment through counseling, play and learning activities.
Throughout the day, Hayek observed a polio immunization campaign targeting high risk areas, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health, UNICEF and local partner Beyond Association to protect nearly 190,000 children under the age of five from the crippling disease.
She also witnessed mobile medical clinics set up by UNICEF, the Ministry, and local partners to provide free primary healthcare, including access to vaccines, critically needed examinations, basic medicine and antenatal care to refugees in tented settlements across Lebanon.
Hayek is visiting Lebanon in order to launch her new animated film “The Prophet” based on renowned Lebanese author Gibran Khalil Gibran’s novel.