UNICEF has warned that a severe funding shortfall is putting the education of nearly 230,000 Rohingya refugee children in Cox’s Bazar at risk. In a statement on Monday, the UN children’s agency warned that without immediate and sustainable financial support, all forms of assistance for the refugees, including essential learning opportunities, could be jeopardized in the world’s largest refugee settlement.
Recently, funding for UNICEF’s humanitarian operations to support Rohingya refugees has declined significantly. This shortfall has impacted 83 percent of school-going children who rely on UNICEF-supported learning centers in the camps.
Angela Kearney, the Head of UNICEF’s Office in Cox’s Bazar, highlighted the dire situation during a press briefing this afternoon at the Cox’s Bazar Field Office. Also present were Madhuri Banerjee, Head of the Chattogram Field Office, and other officials.
Kearney noted that due to the funding crunch, UNICEF has already had to suspend its support for local community volunteer teachers who work with children in kindergarten through Grade 2. She added that contracts for 1,179 volunteer teachers—mostly recruited from the local host community—will expire by June this year if the situation does not improve.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Cox’s Bazar Life Photo
