Dubai Cares commits Dh73m to educate crises-affected kids

Dubai - Figures showed that 62.6 million children are out of schools in 32 conflict-affected countries.

An amount of $20 million (Dh73.4 million) will be allocated to educate children in three crisis-affected countries, the Dubai Cares announced on Wednesday.
The three-year initiative called 'Education in Emergencies: Evidence for Action (3EA)' will seek to test the impact of key educational interventions to children affected in Lebanon, Niger and Sierra Leone.
"One per cent of global humanitarian funding goes towards education. Imagine how much of that is going towards education in emergencies," said Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares.
Figures showed that 62.6 million children are out of schools in 32 conflict-affected countries. One in 113 people are either a refugee, internally displaced, or seeking asylum, and more than 50 per cent of the world's refugees are children.
Al Gurg added: "The most neglected individuals in any crisis in the world are children who are not getting their education. Adults in the future will be literate only if today's children get the education they deserve."
The programme, in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Global TIES for Children /New York University (NYU), will focus on providing social-emotional intervention, brain games and soft skills for children to enhance their post-trauma learning process.
Jennifer Sklar, deputy director of education at IRC, said 250 million children globally cannot read or write even after spending four years in primary school.
"Witnessing violence and displacement can damage ability to learn and form positive relationships. We need a different kind of support to ensure an enhanced educational performance," said Sklar.
Al Gurg said through donors including Lulu Group International and Al Ansari Exchange, Dh3.5million of the Dh29 million target has been collected.
The Dubai Cares also announced the launch of a month-long community awareness and fund-raising social media campaign under #LastILearned.
#LastILearned campaign to raise funds
Dubai Cares also announced launching a month-long community awareness and fundraising social media campaign under #LastILearned.
Al Gurg said donors including Lulu Group International and Al Ansari Exchange, already collected Dh3.5million out of $8million (Dh29 million) target.

The campaign, launched on Wednesday, will display real stories of children affected by emergencies.
"The key of the program is to inspire policymakers, donors and NGO to take the same path and use limited resources not to merely put kids on seats but to provide them with programs that would help them to learn effectively," said Sklar.
You can contribute through:
1. Sending the word "donate" by SMS to 9030, 9090, to donate AED 30, AED 90, through Etisalat.
2. Making online donations at www.dubaicares.ae
3. Making a direct donation through bank deposit to Dubai Cares account or with a cheque addressed to Dubai Cares.
4. Dropping contributions at donation boxes placed in various locations in Dubai.
5. Giving change when shopping at participating supermarkets and hypermarkets.
6. Making a donation while dining at one of the participating restaurants.
7. Conducting personal fundraising activities in support of Dubai Cares through www.justgiving.com/dubaicares
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com

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