Lebanese Road Users Association warns of child beggars on highways

The Lebanese Road Users Association (LAZA) has issued an urgent warning regarding the increasing presence of child beggars on major highways, describing the situation as a ‘time bomb’ for public safety.

The association reported that a 9-year-old girl was recently killed in front of Notre Dame de la Délivrance Hospital in Jbeil, reportedly part of a mobile begging group. LAZA noted a high concentration of children under the age of 8 along the coastal road stretching from Jounieh to Jbeil, often appearing in unlit areas after midnight.

LAZA criticized the lack of coordination between authorities, noting that municipalities often claim the issue is not their responsibility, while security forces merely remove the children only for them to return the following day. The association is calling on the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities, the Internal Security Forces, and the Ministry of Social Affairs to implement emergency plans, increase night patrols, and address the root causes of forced child begging.