Crisis Prevention and Recovery

Emergency response to meet priority educational infrastracture needs: USD 10,927,140

Needs

With 56 percent of the population of Gaza under the age of 18, children and youth bore a disproportionate share of the impact of the crisis. Current reports show that seven schools in northern Gaza were badly damaged and approximately 157 primary schools were partially damaged. All schools in Gaza were closed from 27 December until 24 January causing approximately 540,000 students from all levels (pre-school to university) to miss out on almost one month of classes. The number of children, youth and teachers who have actually returned to school is still not clear, although reports as of 26 January put the overall figure as high as 80 percent. Movement of children, youth and teachers to and from schools remains dangerous, particularly for children, due to explosive remnants of war present in the areas where missiles and bombs have fallen. These lethal remnants of war pose a direct threat to children and their families.

Immediate assistance is needed to rebuild the damaged and destroyed schools as well as to provide teaching and learning resources to classrooms. Sixty percent of schools were already running double shifts prior to the recent crisis, and may now have to run triple shifts. They are not designed to accommodate additional students. Rubble removal is another serious issue facing the education sector. A quick and effective education response is required to address the urgent needs of the affected population in Gaza.

Activities

• Small scale repair of 157 partially damaged schools, as well as 56 partially damaged pre-schools;
• Provide temporary safe, adequate and conducive alternative educational shelters for female and male students and teachers of the seven totally damaged schools, and the children and care takers of seven pre-schools; and
• Support students and teachers with the necessary school furnishings, equipment, among others, required for educational instruction and children with disabilities.