One-Year Anniversary Statement on the Hostilities in Gaza by Education Cannot Wait Director Yasmine Sherif

Education Cannot Wait New York Palestine

by the University of Cambridge, the Centre for Lebanese Studies and UNRWA.

There must be an immediate ceasefire. There must be a respect for international humanitarian and human rights law. We must find a solution to return all hostages, stop bombing civilian targets and reach a peaceful and fair political solution. Only then can we ensure safety, protection and hope in the classroom, and a revival of a region with a long history of education and learning. Because it was here that much of our science, arts and discoveries were once made to serve all of us.

In the State of Palestine, ECW and our strategic partners have provided over US$36 million in funding to improve learning conditions, support mental health and well-being for children and teachers, strengthen school infrastructure, provide vocational training, recruit and train teachers and counsellors, and build the systems and supports needed to return the girls and boys of Palestine to learning. In all, these supports have reached nearly 1  million girls and boys.

According to OCHA's Flash Appeal Financial Tracking, only 49% of the US$3.4 billion humanitarian appeal has been funded to date. Of this, only US$55 million of the US$175 million appeal for education has been met. Together with UN partners, civil society and communities on the ground, ECW and its strategic partners are working tirelessly to catalyze new and additional funding for girls and boys impacted by this brutal conflict.

Our investment in their education is our investment in a better tomorrow for all of humanity – with no discrimination as to race, ethnicity, religion or other distinction. We are all one human family and the only race we need to win is not that of arms or power. A profoundly good quality education inspires and empowers us to win the human race.

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