Upscaling Education, Protection and WASH services for vulnerable children and their caregivers in Akkar ltpgtDue to the Syrian war, economic deterioration and political deadlock, Lebanon suffers from a severe humanitarian crisis. This has inflicted catastrophic economic and social consequences, intensifying poverty and worsening development. Vulnerable populations, particularly children and adolescents living in poverty, endure cumulative deprivations such as being out of school, are subjected to violence both in schools and in their homes, engaged in child labor affecting about 100,000 children (4 to 6%, depending on nationality), or forced into child marriage. The crisis also undermines parents' ability to care for and safeguard children. They thus resort to negative coping mechanisms, restricting access to education, pushing girls into early marriages, and subjecting children to labor and begging. The long-term consequences on children will persist throughout their lives. Educating and protecting children and adolescents requires an effective intervention based on the priorities set by the relevant sectors.lt/pgtltpgtltbrgtRMF has designed a 12-month multi-sectoral humanitarian project to enhance the well-being and resilience of children in 12 identified localities in Akkar. The project localities include Abdel, Al Hakour, Bebnine, Halba, Hosniyeh, Mhammara, Minyara, Ouadi Al Jamous, Qleiaa, Qobbet Chamra, and Sammounieh, Semmaquiye. ltspangtTlt/spangtltspangthese localities were identified through coordination with MAKANI partners, to complement efforts and prevent overlap. This intervention constitutes a holistic approach in which 950 children will each be engaged in all the project’s Education, Protection, and WASH activities. The intervention objectives are:lt/spangtlt/pgtltpgt  ltbrgtObjective 1: Improve access to quality education for vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian children in targeted localities through a comprehensive approach.ltbrgtThis includes:ltbrgtlt/pgtltulgtltligtRetention support for 750 schooled students (80% Lebanese, and 20% Syrian refugees) in 1st shift grades 1 to 9 (as per RMF's field assessments), at risk of dropping out of school lt/ligtltligtReferral of the retention support beneficiaries to UNICEF’s Cash for Education project, should they meet the selection criterialt/ligtltligtBasic Literacy and Numeracy (BLN) for 200 children (100% refugees or stateless), aged between 8 and 14 years old, and out of school for the past 2 yearslt/ligtltligtOffering healthy snacks for children benefitting from both retention support and BLN services (950 children)lt/ligtltligtCapacitating 40 educators on teaching during emergencies, as well as Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)lt/ligtlt/ulgtltpgtObjective 2: Improve access to child protection services for vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian children in targeted localities segregated by type of vulnerability.lt/pgtltpgt This will be achieved through:ltbrgtlt/pgtltulgtltligtCapacitating the 750 retention support beneficiaries on SELlt/ligtltligtProviding FPSS activities adapted and contextualized to the age group and vulnerability of  the 200 BLN beneficiarieslt/ligtltligtProviding case management services to 300 high risk children (80% Lebanese and 20% Syrian refugees) benefitting from either retention support or BLNlt/ligtltligtProviding emergency cash assistance to 30 highest risk cases (10% of total caseload) lt/ligtltligtCapacitating 600 caregivers (80% Lebanese and 20% Syrian refugees) on positive parenting, and mobilizing 100 of them to design and implement 10 Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) activitieslt/ligtlt/ulgtltpgtObjective 3: Enhance access to hygiene practices among vulnerable communities through:ltbrgtlt/pgtltulgtltligtConducting awareness-raising activities on hygiene and menstrual hygiene management, targeting the 950 children engaged in retention support or BLNlt/ligtltligtDistributing Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) kits for the 550 girls benefitting from retention support or BLN serviceslt/ligtltligtDistributing hygiene kits for the 400 boys benefitting from retention or BLN services.lt/ligtltpgtltspangtltbrgtlt/spangtlt/pgtlt/ulgtltpgtltspangtActivities will take place in community centers, and/or Social and Development Centers. Coordination was made with the heads of the relevant sectors, North Education Working Group, and MAKANI partners as to complement and not lt/spangtltspangtduplicate efforts.lt/spangtlt/pgt