DOHA: Education Above All has called for protecting innocent children and young people from the Israeli military offensive in Gaza.
“We must find a way to protect the innocent children and young people who are suffering as a direct result of this conflict,” Marcio Barbosa, Chief Executive Officer of Education Above All Foundation, said in a statement.
“All sides should respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians — especially children — from harm,” Barbosa said.
“Education Above All has a long-standing commitment to the rebuilding of Gaza, especially educational infrastructure, through the Al Fakhoora programme. Our partners on the ground are conducting immediate needs assessments to ensure that we respond effectively and in a timely manner. We have already agreed emergency support from the Al Fakhoora programme for students who have lost their homes as a result of the conflict,” Barbosa said.
Al Fakhoora has been operating in Gaza since 2010 through a number of projects that support the territory’s educational infrastructure. Al Fakhoora was launched by H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser to promote access to education and as a symbol of protest against targeting of educational institutions during armed conflicts.
Education Above All is a Qatar-based foundation that promotes human, social and economic development through quality education and other welfare programmes and initiatives.
On July 22, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that over 599 people had been killed in the Israeli military operation in Gaza, 147 of them children.
More than 100,000 people are estimated to be displaced and taking shelter in 48 UNRWA-run schools. OCHA estimates that 85 schools being used to host displaced people have been damaged as a result of their proximity to targeted sites. OCHA estimates that at least 72,000 children have suffered as members of their families have been killed, suffered injury or lost their homes. These children will require psychosocial support to deal with these traumas.
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