AMMAN, September 9, 2014 (WAFA) – Chief of the UNICEF field office in Gaza,
Pernille Ironside, in a statement said, “UNICEF and its partners will be
playing a full part in the longer-term reconstruction of schools and the rest
of the education infrastructure in Gaza, stressing that, “that would require donors to step forward with the
necessary funds.”
The statement stressed that UNICEF’s Back to School campaign is budgeted at
just over $16 million until the end of 2014.
“Children have suffered appalling losses as a result of the conflict,” said
Pernille Ironside, Chief UNICEF Gaza Field Office. “That’s why it’s so vital
that we get as many children as possible back into school immediately, so the
healing process can begin in that more familiar environment,” said the
statement.
UNICEF is playing a key role in urgent preparations underway in Gaza ahead
of the start of a new academic year on Sunday (September 14th).
The resumption of classes in 395 government-run schools across the
territory was delayed as a result of the brutal 50-day conflict with Israel
that ended in a ceasefire on August 26th.
Over the coming week, UNICEF’s team on the ground will be focusing on four
key areas:
·
Coordination to ensure that children displaced by the fighting, or whose
schools suffered heavy damage, are able to join a school in their neighborhood;
·
Carrying out immediate repairs and cleaning on schools that were used to
shelter families displaced by the violence;
·
Planning and organization of a week of special recreational sessions for
all schools, designed to allow trained staff to identify children who have been
more seriously traumatized by the conflict -- and then refer them for
specialized support;
·
Procurement and provision of school bags, school stationery and teaching
aids; and school uniforms and shoes to assist priority families who are
vulnerable.
For some children, the return to class will not be easy.
“I am very sad to go back to school
and check on my friends,” said 17-year old Hanadi, who is now living with her
family in a school shelter in Gaza city. I do not know if they are missing or
still alive. I am very sad and I don’t know how I will go back to school. I am
not in a studying state of mind. ”
Others, like 16 year-old Sami, said getting back to school was a sign that
some kind of normality was returning.
“For me, school is my second home.… It feels good to be back, ” said Sami.
To be noted, at least 501 children were killed in Gaza during the conflict,
and over 3,374 were injured.
According to the Ministry of Education, 26 government schools were
completely destroyed, and at least 207 others (including 75 run by the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA) suffered varying degrees of damage.
T.R.
