Director-General appeals for rapid financing of UNESCO education projects for Gaza
The Director-General of UNESCO has called for urgent assistance for five UNESCO education projects included in the $613 million UN Flash Appeal for Gaza.
The appeal, launched on 2 Feb by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes, covers the requirements of UN and humanitarian organizations for the next six to nine months and focuses on basic services including education.
“The five UNESCO education projects in the Gaza Flash Appeal address urgent needs for the reactivation of quality educational services throughout Gaza, including secondary and higher education,” said the Director-General. The UNESCO projects have a total value of approximately US$ 3 million.
“I am hopeful the donor community and UNESCO Member States will respond positively to these urgent demands”, said Mr Matsuura. “Immediate assistance is needed to restore educational services and support the education system as a whole, as well as to provide teaching and learning resources to classrooms and universities. Efforts are also needed to begin addressing the immense psycho-social impact this recent conflict has had on the children and young people, as well as on educators.”
A donor conference will be held in Cairo on March 2, 2009.