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Finland strengthens access and quality of learning for children in Syria with a €3 million contribution to UNICEF

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Syrie
+ 1
Sources
UNICEF
Date de publication
Origine
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Damascus, 11 December 2019 – The Government of Finland has renewed its commitment to support children’s rights in Syria through a generous contribution of €3 million to strengthen access and quality of learning for children across the country.

The new grant will contribute to the light rehabilitation of 15 schools and provide non-formal education support and education supplies for 4,500 out-of-school children. The grant will also provide direct cash transfers and case management to 500 children with severe disabilities to help their families respond rapidly to their needs and provide them with the flexibility they require to fulfil their responsibilities as parents.

“After years of witnessing the horrors of conflict, children in Syria are in desperate need to heal. Access to safe schools and education doesn’t only fulfil their right to education but it is also a first step towards healing, bringing back normalcy into their lives and becoming active participants in re-stitching the torn social fabric of their communities,” said Fran Equiza, UNICEF representative in Syria, adding, “Finland has been a steadfast partner to help alleviate some of the suffering of Syria’s children. UNICEF is grateful for this partnership and the generosity of the government and people of Finland.”

Almost nine years of conflict has had a devastating impact on education in Syria. Nearly two million children remain out of school across Syria and almost one third of schools in the country is no longer operational because of the conflict.

“Improving children's education means investments in the future of Syrian people. Over two million children in Syria are out of school. We cannot afford losing this generation. In 2018, more than 70,000 children enrolled in school in Syria thanks to the cooperation between Finland and UNICEF. This is a good start. This time our aim is to help children with disabilities start school and to support their families,” says Ms. Tarja Fernández, Chargée d’Affaires of Finland to Syria

Last year, with funding provided by the government of Finland to UNICEF in Syria, more than 62,000 children benefited from access to safer and improved learning environments through school rehabilitations.

Finland has been supporting UNICEF’s programmes for children in Syria since 2013.

Media Contacts

Salam Al-Janabi
Chief of Communications
UNICEF Syria
Tel: 00963950044371
Email: sabdulmunem@unicef.org