UN Children’s Fund has received $3 million to support children with proper sanitation facilities in schools and in areas affected by the prolonged drought in South and regions of Somalia, an official of the agency confirmed.
The new funding will be used to monitor grave child rights violations, as well as provide support to 1,250 survivors of abuse, and to children who were previously involved with armed groups.
Steven Lauwerier , UNICEF’s Representative in Somalia said the Government of Japan is providing generous funding to UNICEF to support children with proper sanitation facilities in schools, keep them in education and provide abused women and children with support services.
“This emergency education package, generously funded by Japan, promotes schools as places for the most vulnerable children to receive life-saving and life-sustaining services,” said Lauwerier.
Lauwerier noted the $3 million grant will cover the course of the next year help some of the worst affected communities.
“We also need to keep providing child protection services to the most marginalized children. UNICEF is the largest provider of emergency child protection and Gender Based Violence services in Somalia. Thanks to donors such as Japan we can continue and scale up this crucial work.”
He said part of the Japanese funding will provide 10,000 children in 50 schools with a package of services.
“The school latrines will be rehabilitated or constructed, safe drinking water provided and hygiene education undertaken. Japan’s funding will be also used to establish temporary spaces or rehabilitate classrooms in the 50 schools, targeting areas with high IDP influx. Emergency cash grants will fund lunches and snacks at the schools, so that families have an incentive to keep children in school, while children who are out of school will be encouraged to join,” he said
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