In the Wake of Recent Emergencies, Save the Children Calls on the UN General Assembly to Prioritise Education for Children Affected by Conflict and Natural Disasters
Despite Increasing Number of Emergencies, Innovative Solutions Exist
(18 March, 2009) — Millions of children who cannot attend school because they live in areas affected by conflict or natural disasters will be in the spotlight today, as the United Nations General Assembly begins a formal debate on the importance of education in emergencies.
“The number of emergencies worldwide is increasing, from today’s conflicts in Sri Lanka and Gaza to the recent natural disasters in Bangladesh and Myanmar, leading to an alarming number of children missing school,” said Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Secretary General of International Save the Children Alliance, “Every year an average of 750,000 children have their education disrupted or miss out entirely on education due to humanitarian disasters. Over half of the 75 million children out of school worldwide, 40 million children, live in areas affected by conflict.”
Leslie Wilson, Country Director for Save the Children in Afghanistan, will address the General Assembly to describe how national school enrolment has increased faster in recent years than in any other country in the world. The number of children enrolling in school in Afghanistan increased from less than one million children in 2002 to more than six million in 2006.
Save the Children’s experience shows that it is possible to provide education even in some of the most difficult situations. In Afghanistan, in spite of ongoing violence and insecurity, over the past four years nearly 3 million children have benefited from improved education due to a Save the Children partnership with the Ministry of Education to roll out teacher and school management training.
Petri Gornitzka continued, “The international community needs to take decisive action not just in the aftermath, but before and during disasters to make sure children’s schooling continues. Education can save lives - by keeping children safe from disease and conflict. If we can keep education going, we can help children and families survive and rebuild their communities after an emergency.”
In Sri Lanka, in spite of increasing fighting in the North and mass movement of people, more than 900,000 children have benefited from improved education through Save the Children’s partnership with UNICEF on a new model to deliver education in emergencies. The agencies have also found other innovative approaches such as home learning for children who cannot attend school regularly due to insecurity.
If the 40 million children out of school living in conflict-affected areas or disaster zones are not addressed, the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) on education will not be met. Governments have the primary responsibility to reach this goal, but the General Assembly, the international community, UN agencies and civil society, all have a role to play in bringing education to children in emergencies.
More information
Rewrite the Future - Giving Education and Hope to Children Affected by Armed Conflict
Zlata Filipoviæ opinion editorial: Every surviving war child has two stories – one from the war itself and one from its aftermath
Photoessay: Every child, everywhere, has the right to an education
Report: Delivering Education in Emergencies report
Notes
At the UN debate at the General Assembly, Save the Children will highlight their first international campaign, Rewrite the Future, which advocates for the 40 million children who cannot go to school because of conflict in their countries. This campaign is dedicated to bringing 3 million children living in conflict-affected countries into school and to ensuring that another 5 million children in conflict-affected countries receive a better-quality education.
The General Assembly Debate comes less than a week after top peace negotiators and education experts joined representatives of governments and the United Nations at a unique summit in Sarajevo, Where Peace Begins: The Pivotal Role of Education for Lasting Peace, to examine how quality education can be prioritised in peace processes, and become a reality for all children living in conflict-affected countries.
The damage to education systems during conflicts and natural disasters is often severe. Students and teachers flee and are often targeted for intimidation, recruitment and indoctrination. School premises are destroyed or occupied by fighters. Yet providing children with an education gives children hope and a sense of normality the midst of disaster. Education is a way to share basic information on the dangers of landmines, health and hygiene education can reduce the risk of physical harm and disease.
Over the longer term, quality education can increase earning potential, enabling educated adults to keep their families healthier and improve their ability to break free from poverty. In addition, education helps to reduce the risk of conflict by enhancing social cohesion and supporting peace-building.