USAID inks deal with UNICEF to support drought displaced students in Somalia

The U.S government has announced $1.5 million to ensure students displaced by the ongoing drought in Somalia continue with their studies unhindered.

The US international aid development arm, USAID signed an agreement with UNICEF on Sunday that will see the funds channelled through the UN agency. The Emergency Education Drought Response Programme will provide emergency education to the nearly 400,000 school-aged children displaced by the current drought.

“We must ensure that the most vulnerable crisis-affected children have access to safe, protective, inclusive and continuous learning opportunities while building the capacity of federal, state, and local education officials and communities to respond to emergencies,” said USAID/Somalia Mission Director Jeffrey Bakken.

According to UNICEF Somalia Representative Wafaa Saeed, an estimated 900,000 children attending school are at risk of dropping out.

“The drought crisis has exhausted household livelihoods and children are displaced while drawn into the daily struggle of survival. This programme will assist UNICEF and partners to reach these children faster while expanding our current reach,” Saeed said.

The United States government funding for the drought response in Somalia to date is more than $706 million.