Millions of “Children on the Move” are in need of help
Millions of “Children on the Move” are in need of help
If had three wishes, first I would request that we all go to school. Second, that we get enough food. Third, that my brother’s eyes are fixed.
Lina, a 13-years-old South Sudanese girl
Millions of children, who account for half of all refugees and displaced persons worldwide, spend years or even their entire childhood in displacement, in an uncertainty of their future. Some of them are separated from their family when fleeing war or conflicts. They are more vulnerable than adults to the risk of abuse, exploitation, neglect, trafficking or being recruited into armed groups. It is not hard to contemplate the adverse impact of these painful experiences on the development of children.
Children’s rights are enshrined in international law and are at the heart of UNHCR’s mandate. Given the high proportion of children amongst the displaced populations, UNHCR is committed to protecting displaced children, and making education available and accessible to refugee children.
We improve refugee children access education
UNHCR helps refugees access education by different ways.
- Supplying what refugee children need to go to school, for example, textbooks, school uniform, school bag and other learning materials, including innovative solutions such as e-readers and e-books, tablets and laptops that help displaced children attain knowledge online.
- Training teachers, parents and education workers to provide better and inclusive education to children who flee, children with disabilities. The training is also aimed to help identify children who may be at risk of forced recruitment or abuse and violence.
- Building safe, accessible classrooms and schools and making sure the spaces are properly equipped and gender sensitive. In the first half of 2015 alone, we built or improved over 700 educational facilities in locations across the world.
- Helping more refugee children enrol and stay in school. We lobby education ministries to include refugee children in their national education systems so as to ensure they are taught by experienced teachers and receive accredited qualifications. We also support children and teachers to overcome language barrier.
Helping refugee children access education
UNHCR’s figure shows that more than half ─ 3.7 million out of the six million school-age children under our mandate have no school to go to.
Back in Hong Kong, we send our children to school or university so that they can equip themselves with the knowledge and skills they need to build their future. But why do we fail to appreciate the education needs of refugee children? Ironically some would consider these needs a luxury, a non-essential optional extra after a tent, a blanket, food and water, and medical care.
Education is one of the most important drivers for ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity. Hence investment in a refugee’s education means the entire community benefits. Together we can make a difference; we have already made progress in enrolling hundreds of thousands of refugees in school and in improving their access to accredited education in national systems indeed.
Making a meaningful Christmas gift to refugee children
With Christmas and New Year around the corner, it’s the time of the year to be merry and joyous. When we are buying presents for loved ones, planning a festive dinner or trip for pleasure, it is a great time to think more about giving. Please help empower refugee children through Education!
Here are some examples of how your gift could be put in use:
- A gift from you of HK$900 can support the school fees of a vulnerable refugee child for a year in Sudan
- A gift from you of HK$1,640 can support 10 children with a school kit containing exercise books, pens, pencils and other learning materials in South Sudan or Yemen
- A gift from you of HK$4,290 can provide an older child in Ethiopia with a two-year condensed primary education
