NW, SW: Over 488,000 children still out of school due to armed conflict.

The statistics was revealed in an official release published by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, in Yaounde on July 23. The release highlights that these children are being deprived of their rights to education as a result of the conflict.

As a result, the European Union, EU, has provided over FCFA 1.7 billion as a humanitarian response, in support of education and learning opportunities for vulnerable children in crises affected areas. 

According to the representative of UNICEF in Cameroon, Nadine Perrault, the timing of the assistance is crucial, as the North West and South West regions continue to be affected by the crisis with attacks on schools and healthcare facilities, and other grave violations of children’s rights.                                             

“In times of crisis, education is a lifeline for children. We work to provide uninterrupted education for every child. We help children develop skills to cope with the trauma of crisis, and provide them with learning spaces that are safe, child-friendly and equipped with water and sanitation facilities,” Nadine Perrault said, reiterating that: “This additional funding from the EU Humanitarian aid will help us to rapidly scale-up our response and improve access to learning opportunities for Out-Of-School Children”.

UNICEF in addressing the humanitarian needs of children, especially those out of school and in crisis-hit zones, implements an integrated package of services, which is focused on providing education opportunities for children while improving their learning environment.

This, UNICEF points out, is to ensure school retention and positive learning outcomes while ensuring the safety and protection of children. UNICEF also support school-age children without birth certificates to acquire them, thereby ensuring their rights to civil status and access to continued higher education.

“UNICEF is very grateful to the EU for their financial support and commitment which ensures that even in humanitarian situations, a child’s right to education and to a protective and safe learning environment are upheld,” Perrault firmly underscores.

She added that over 54,000 children will directly benefit from education interventions, and priority will be given to vulnerable children, particularly out-of-school children, children living with disabilities and those at risk of dropping out of school. UNICEF has been working in Cameroon since 1975.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3180 of Friday July 26, 2024