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EU to increase humanitarian aid for children's education in emergencies

Xinhua, December 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

The European Commission on Wednesday announced an increase of the share of its humanitarian aid budget in supporting education projects in emergency situations.

The increase from four percent in 2016 to six percent in 2017 of the humanitarian aid budget puts the Commission well ahead of the global average. The percentage of the European Union (EU) humanitarian support allocated to education in emergencies support is now six times higher than it was in 2014.

The contribution will support access to formal and non-formal education, including life skills and vocational training, recreational activities and psychosocial support. Children will also benefit from the provision of school material and the setting up of new education facilities. Teachers and parents will also be supported and benefit from training.

The aid will be channelled through non-governmental organisations (NGOs), United Nations agencies and International Organisations to reach the most vulnerable.

Today, 75 million children living in crisis-affected countries and forced displacement lack access to quality education. Education in emergencies is one of the most underfunded areas in humanitarian aid worldwide, with less than two percent of the global humanitarian funding being dedicated to this area.

To date, more than 92 million euros (97.34 million U.S. dollars) in EU humanitarian aid have been allocated for education in emergencies projects. More than 3.8 million children in 47 countries have benefited from this support so far. Endit