DG ECHO Doubles Support for UNICEF’s Sahrawi refugee education Programme, empowering over 36,000 children

ALGIERS and TINDOUF, December 4th, 2024 -The European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) has significantly increased its contribution to UNICEF's education programme for Sahrawi refugee children, committing €1.2 million for 2023-2025, up from €600,000. This increased funding underscores DG ECHO’s steadfast commitment to ensuring the right to education for refugee children.

This critical support allows UNICEF to provide inclusive, quality education to 36.115 children in the five Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf in Algeria. With this partnership, UNICEF has met 85% of educational material needs in the camps for 2023-2024, ensuring that refugee children have access to essential school supplies, resources that many parents would otherwise be unable to afford.

In addition to addressing material needs, UNICEF supports education personnel by providing quarterly cash incentives to retain teachers, trainers, inspectors, and school heads. It also organizes targeted training sessions to enhance their skills and improve teaching quality, an investment crucial for fostering effective learning environments and ensuring the retention of qualified education personnel. 

Thanks to the generosity of DG ECHO, UNICEF has been able to expand the Accelerated Education Programme, providing out-of-school youth with opportunities to reintegrate into formal education. Moreover, a Life Skills Programme for in-school adolescents has been introduced, equipping adolescents with the tools for transition into working life and prepare for the future.