DUBAI, 21st March, 2017 (WAM) -- Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, announced today at the 14th edition of the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition, DIHAD 2017, the launch of a AED3.8 million programme in partnership with UNICEF aimed at easing the pressure on the fractured education system in Iraqi Kurdistan. The programme, entitled Access to Quality Education for Internally Displaced, Refugee, Host-Communities, and Other Vulnerable Children, is in line with Dubai Cares Education in Emergencies strategy, designed to provide children affected by conflict and natural disasters with access to safe and predictable learning opportunities that teach them both the academic and social-emotional skills they need to learn and thrive.
Within the framework of the programme, two 13-classroom schools will be constructed in the governorates of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. The schools are expected to help alleviate the pressure currently placed upon the regions severely fractured education system. Upon the completion of the schools, at least 1,365 internally displaced persons, refugees, and other vulnerable children will have access to a learning environment conducive to acquiring a good quality basic education. 39 teachers and 3 head teachers will also benefit from having a safe and secure workplace.
Speaking about the organisations first programme in Iraqi Kurdistan, Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares, said, "The theme of DIHAD this year is The Impact of Crises and Disasters on Children, which makes this event an ideal place for us to showcase our innovative education in emergencies programmes that are ensuring that children arent missing out on an education they so desperately need, as well as launch our latest programme in Iraqi Kurdistan. This new programme is in partnership with UNICEF and in support of the growing number of children who have had their education interrupted by the ongoing conflicts in Syria and Iraq. Through this programme, Dubai Cares is extending a helping hand by ensuring access to safe and quality education and providing children with a sense of normalcy, stability, and hope for the future." Dubai Cares participation in DIHAD includes an innovative stand that highlights the importance of providing education to children affected by emergencies. Visitors to the stand can view a 360-degree virtual reality film created in a Syrian refugee camps school, following a young students journey as her mother narrates the story of the familys quest for education. The stand also features an interactive multimedia touchscreen map, providing information on Dubai Cares operations in 45 developing countries, particularly those affected by emergencies and crises, in addition to a quiz that illustrates the impossible decisions those caught in conflict, disasters and poverty face.
Rana Awad, Marketing Manager at Dubai Cares, said, "Through our stand in DIHAD, Dubai Cares aims to go beyond virtual reality. We want to deliver immersive and impactful storytelling about refugee children. We also want to engage and inspire visitors to support us in our mission to increase childrens access to quality education and break the cycle of poverty." Tariq Al Gurg will be chairing a special panel session on Education in Emergencies on the 3rd day of DIHAD on Thursday, March 23rd, between 11:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.. Participants in the panel include Manuel Fontaine, Director of the Office of Emergency Programmes at UNICEF, Justin Van Fleet, UN Special Envoys Office Education Commission, and Dean Brooks, Director, Inter-Agency, Network for Education in Emergencies.
Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.
