Zambia: UNICEF helps 60,000 children receive schooling in wake of floods

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has provided educational kits to jump start the educations of 60,000 school pupils in six flood-ravaged provinces of Zambia.

UNICEF has donated 640 ‘school-in-a-box’ kits to the Southern African country’s Ministry of Education. Each box contains such items as flipchart pads, markers, pens, crayons, erasers, exercise books, rulers, pencils, chalk and chalkboards.

The agency has also contributed $133,000 to revitalize the education system.

“It is important that children receive appropriate and immediate psycho-social support in affected areas in order to reduce the possible affects of trauma,” Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF’s Representative in Zambia, said.

Between December and February, almost 300,000 people were impacted by severe flooding that damaged homes and also disrupted water and sanitation services as well as the delivery of health care.

In addition, over 320 schools were affected nationwide, according to Geoffrey Lungwangwa, the Minister of Education. Some rural districts have reported a 40 to 50 per cent reduction in school attendance due to damage to schools and displacement.

“UNICEF received a request from the Ministry of Education in the very early stages of the flooding and was able to respond,” Ms. Sylwander said.

“We hope to continue working hand-in-hand in order to further the lives of Zambian children and women.”