UNICEF Secures €1m Grant To Educate Conflict-affected Children In Sokoto
By Alice Etuka, Abuja
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has secured EUR 1 million grant from the European Union’s humanitarian arm (ECHO), targeted at reaching over 20,000 Sokoto children whose education had been disrupted by conflict.
UNICEF announced the development in a statement on Thursday.
The EUR 1 million grant from ECHO is targeted at reaching over 20,000 children aged 5 to 17, living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and host communities in Sokoto State.
According to the statement, the initiative, will expand access to quality education and life skills for children aged 5 to 17 living in IDP camps and host communities. The aim is to ensure schooling for vulnerable children while strengthening the capacity of the education system to withstand future shocks.
Out of school children will be supported through accelerated learning opportunities, and children already enrolled in school will receive remediation support to build foundational skills and improve learning outcomes.
Over a 24 month period, the programme will facilitate community led enrolment campaigns to identify and enroll out of school children. It will also promote safe school practices to protect children from violence, abuse and exploitation. In addition, the programme will support the rehabilitation of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools and establish WASH and environment clubs to promote improved hygiene and create healthier learning spaces.
Teachers will receive training in basic pedagogy and crisis sensitive teaching methods that help them respond to trauma, mental health concerns and the psychosocial needs of children affected by conflict and displacement. The programme will also provide mental health and psychosocial support services, including the creation of child-friendly spaces where children can learn, play and recover in a supportive environment.
Speaking on the development, Head of ECHO in Nigeria, Alexandre Castellano stresses that no child should have their future determined by conflict:
“No child should have their future determined by conflict. When learning stops, the consequences can last a lifetime. Through this partnership, the European Union and UNICEF will help communities protect their children, enable them to learn in safe spaces, and reclaim their right to education”, he said.
Similarly, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed stated, “As insecurity threatens learning opportunities for thousands of children in Sokoto State, this initiative will ensure that affected children can continue their education and build the life skills they need for a brighter future.
The programme is expected to strengthen Education in Emergencies coordination at state and local government levels and to enhance preparedness to ensure continuity of learning during crises.
Through this partnership, EU Humanitarian Aid and UNICEF reaffirm their commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of circumstance, has access to learning, protection and the opportunity to thrive.
