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EU to provide additional 1 mln euros to assist children affected by Ebola

Xinhua, September 7, 2015 Adjust font size:

The European Commission would provide an additional 1 million euros (1.12 million U.S. dollars) in funding to help children orphaned and affected by Ebola receive education and psychosocial support, said the European Commission in a press release on Monday.

The amount was part of the overall funding of 11 million euros (12.23 million U.S. dollars) allocated this year for educational projects in conflict areas under the European Union (EU) Children of Peace initiative, said the press release.

"We must give hope to the children affected by the devastating consequences of the Ebola epidemic. Around 6 million boys and girls have missed school. By investing in their education, we are investing in their future to give them the building blocks for life beyond Ebola," said Christos Stylianides, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management.

This additional EU funding would support the re-opening of schools, currently closed due to the epidemic.

It would be channeled through UNICEF and Save the Children, with each organization receiving half of the money, to develop educational projects in Guinea and Sierra Leone, said the press release.

In addition, the EU would train children and teachers in Ebola prevention, and support measures to increase hygiene and sanitation in schools, provide psychosocial support, reintegrate children into their communities and strengthen the resilience of populations in the event of future health crises, said the press release. Endit