GPE to mobilize up to $50 million for long-term response
WASHINGTON D.C., February 14, 2023 - The Global Partnership for Education is deeply concerned for the 2.5 million children living in areas of Syria affected by the recent earthquakes. While the extent of the devastation remains unclear, the United Nations estimates that over 400 schools have been damaged. Hundreds more are serving as temporary shelters for survivors.
To meet the urgent needs of children in affected areas in Syria, $3.75 million in GPE funds are immediately available to partners to set up temporary learning spaces, clean and repair damaged schools, deliver school meals and provide psychosocial support. These funds will work alongside the important $7 million announced today by Education Cannot Wait.
"The impact of a disaster of this magnitude will be felt for years to come. GPE is seeking to mobilize up to $50 million to support children's education in Syria in the next three years, working with partners so that children in earthquake-affected areas can continue to learn and have hope for the future," said Laura Frigenti, CEO of the Global Partnership for Education. "We have been in daily contact with organizations working in the affected areas and are coordinating very closely with Education Cannot Wait, United Nations agencies and other development partners to respond to the crisis."
These funds are in addition to the $25 million that GPE currently is rolling out through a grant implemented by UNICEF and Save the Children supporting learning for 95,000 at-risk children across the country.
In the aftermath of such tragic events, getting children back to school as quickly as possible is essential. Schools give children a sense of safety and normalcy, protect them from the risk of harm or exploitation, provide them with a safe space to play, and give them access to counseling and other vital services.
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Notes to editors: Syria is not a GPE partner country and no GPE funding goes to the government of Syria. GPE funds education activities in Syria in line with humanitarian principles and the United Nations coordinated approach. Türkiye is not a GPE partner country and is not eligible for GPE funding.
About the Global Partnership for Education
GPE is a shared commitment to ending the world's learning crisis. We mobilize partners and funds to support nearly 90 lower-income countries to transform their education systems so that every girl and boy can get the quality education they need to unlock their full potential and contribute to building a better world.
Contact
Tamara Kummer, GPE Head of Communications, @email; Tel: + 33 7 82 26 07 18