Funding shortfalls threaten education for millions of children

Funding shortfalls threaten education for millions of children caught up in conflicts or disasters. Some 9.2 million children have no access to formal and non-formal types of basic education. 

Before the start of the G20 talks, Unicef is issuing a warning underlining that millions of children, caught up in conflicts or disasters, do not have access to basic education. 9.2 million children are facing a humanitarian crisis when it comes to education and of the needed $932 million a year to keep the emergency programms running, Unicef received voluntary donations of less than $115 million.

“Without education, children grow up without the knowledge and skills they need to contribute to the peace and the development of their countries and economies, aggravating an already desperate situation for millions of children,” said Muzoon Almellehan, UNICEF’s latest Goodwill Ambassador. “For the millions of children growing up in war zones, the threats are even more daunting: Not going to school leaves children vulnerable to early marriage, child labour and recruitment by armed forces.” 

When it comes to funding gaps in Unicef’s education programms, they vary form 78 per cent in the Central African Republic, to 74% in Yemen, 64% in Syria and 36% in Iraq.

Experts highlight the importance of education when it comes to combating poverty and surveys have shown that immigrants, often put their lives in danger, trying to get to new countries so that their children can have educational alternatives.

According to Unicef,  a survey of refugee and migrant children in Italy revealed that 38% of them headed to Europe to gain access to learning opportunities. A similar survey in Greece showed that one in three parents or caretakers said that seeking education for their children was the main reason they left their countries for Europe.

And for children escaping war and conflict, education can truly be life-saving, Unicef points out.

Muzoon had fled Syria in 2013 and when reaching Jordan, the presence of a school offered new opportunities and hope for the future.

“When I fled Syria in 2013, I was terrified I would never be able to return to school. But when I arrived in Jordan and realized there was a school in the camp, I was relieved and hopeful,” said Muzoon. “School gives children like me a lifeline and the chance of a peaceful and positive future. “I urge world leaders to invest in the futures of children living in emergencies — and by doing so invest in the future of our world.”

According to Unicef data published at the end of last year, an estimated 535 million children, nearly one in four, live in countries affected by conflict or disaster, often without access to medical care, quality education, proper nutrition and protection. Most of them are form Sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 400 million children. The Middle East and North Africa account for 12% of all children living in conflict areas.