Beirut, Lebanon – April 19, 2022: In recognition of its efforts to provide the best initiatives to protect children and raise awareness about the best practices to be followed to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic, the Arab League, represented by Her Excellency, Ambassador Dr. Haifa Abu-Ghazaleh, assistant secretary-general and head of the social affairs sector of the Arab League, awarded himaya with the “2021 Arab Family-Friendly Institutions Award”, which it won for the first time.
Awarded annually by the Arab League, this award aims to encourage institutions dealing with causes related to children, to establish a culture of respect for the rights of children in societies and not to neglect them for any reason, considering they are inherent rights.
The award also highlights successful models that have contributed to changes in the child and family protection areas, while creating a positive environment for the advancement of their situation through ideas, proposals, projects and programs aimed at enhancing family safety in the Arab region.
Commenting on this achievement, himaya’s Executive Director, Serge Saad, thanked the Arab League, saying: “We are proud to receive this prestigious award from the general secretariat of the Arab League-Social Affairs sector. It motivates us to move forward and complete our mission in line with the best interests of children and also to achieve our goals of highlighting their issues and maintaining social cohesion.” He continued: “We have been able to face the challenges brought on by the pandemic and the difficult economic situation of the country, reasserting the fact that Child Protection remains a priority in Lebanon, despite all circumstances, and that we will continue to launch initiatives aimed at helping both children and families while raising awareness in the community.”
Finally, it is important to mention that himaya tirelessly worked during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic to increase community awareness about the epidemic and its prevention measures. himaya also provided guidance and advice to reduce the social repercussions caused by the lockdowns whether regarding the change in learning patterns and distance learning, or the possible psychological repercussions the situation could have on children.