Thousands of children – particularly girls – will go without education in South Sudan if enough funds are not raised to respond to the humanitarian emergency, says Plan International.
In partnership with the UN and other humanitarian agencies, the children’s rights organisation is calling for US$1.8 billion for the coming year to support the emergency response.
“The ongoing conflict continues to displace people and prevent children and young people from accessing urgently-needed education services,” said Daniel Muchena, Country Director Plan International South Sudan.
"All children need to have access to education. In South Sudan, the entire education system has been severely affected. The international humanitarian response in South Sudan needs to prioritise measures that ensure that education services are provided and that measures are taken to enable children, particularly girls, to access and stay in education,” he said.
Education sustains life
Even before the start of the crisis, some 57% of children and adolescents in South Sudan did not attend school.
Education during emergencies is a core humanitarian need, providing physical and pyschosocial support in times when needed most.
“Education sustains life by offering stability, structure and hope for the future during a time of conflict and other crisis, particularly for children, and provides essential building blocks for future economic stability,” said Dr Unni Krishnan, Plan International’s Head of Disaster Preparedness and Response.
“Education also helps to protect against exploitation and harm, and to disseminate key survival messages.”
Funding call
Plan International is advocating for more funding for girls’ education, teacher training and support and informal education opportunities, such as life skills for girls.
“Over the last decade, education has been acknowledged as a priority in the global humanitarian system, yet funding for this commitment remains woefully inadequate. It is time for donors to address this vital gap” added Dr Krishnan.
Download a Plan briefing paper on funding girls' education in South Sudan
Editor’s notes:
Founded 78 years ago, Plan International is one of the oldest and largest children's development organisations in the world. We work in 51 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty. Plan is independent, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations.
Plan International has been working in South Sudan, including before its independence, since 2006 - helping poor children to access their rights to education, health, protection and economic security. The organisation works with more than 20,000 children - mainly in Juba, Lainya and Yei counties in Central Equatoria – to bring lasting improvements in a country that has emerged from decades of civil war. Media contact:
Jane Labous
Global Press Officer, Africa
Plan, International Headquarters (UK)
+44 (0)1483 733 330
+44 (0)7540 048 494
jane.labous@plan-international.org
Skype: janelabous