In response to the escalating crisis in Gaza, Education Above All issued a statement.
On July 7th, Israel launched a large military operation on Gaza that continues to escalate. In a report issued on July 22th, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that over 599 people have been killed, 147 of whom were children. The report further states that one child has been killed in Gaza every hour for the past two days. The continuing attacks have further damaged Gaza’s fragile infrastructure, leaving more than 900,000 with no access to water supply.
Two weeks into the crisis, more than 100,000 people are estimated to be displaced and taking shelter in 48 UNRWA-run schools. OCHA estimates that 85 schools which are currently being used to host displaced people have been damaged as a result of their proximity to targeted sites. On July 22, an UNRWA-run school sheltering displaced civilians was by Israeli shell-fire, forcing its evacuation. OCHA estimates that at least 72,000 children have suffered as members of their families have been killed, suffered injury or lost their homes. These children will require psychosocial support to deal with these traumas.
“We must find a way to protect the innocent children and young people who are suffering as a direct result of this conflict,” said Marcio Barbosa, Chief Executive Officer of Education Above All Foundation. “All sides should respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians – especially children – from harm.”
Mr. Marcio Barbosa also: “Education Above All has a long-standing commitment to the rebuilding of Gaza, especially the educational infrastructure, through the Al Fakhoora programme. Our partners on the ground are conducting immediate needs assessments to ensure that we respond effectively and in a timely manner. We have already agreed emergency support from the Al Fakhoora programme for students who have lost their homes as a result of the conflict.”
Al Fakhoora has been operating in Gaza since 2010 through a number of projects that support the territory’s educational infrastructure. Al Fakhoora was launched by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser to promote access to education and to symbolize the outcry against targeting educational institutes during armed conflicts. Her Highness was a leading advocate behind the UN Security Council’s unanimous adoption in 2011 of Resolution 1998 which drew particular attention to the importance of protecting schools and hospitals from attacks or threats of attack by all parties to armed conflicts.
Education Above All all supports the Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict (PEIC) programme, established in 2010. Through its policy, research and advocacy activities, PEIC is contributing to international efforts to promote safe schooling and the right to education in conflict-affected countries. PEIC is deeply concerned that no actions by any party in the current conflict should compromise the security of education facilities in Gaza.
Photo credit: Fares Akram
