Arr! The schoolin' of Rwanda's wee refugee scallywags be in peril, as the UN's treasure chest be runnin' low!
2023-10-20
Arr, ye scurvy dogs of the United Nations be cuttin' the gold doubloons for educatin', feedin', and healin' our brethren refugees in Rwanda! 'Tis a treacherous deed that brings naught but misery to tens of thousands. May Davy Jones claim ye for such a dastardly act!
In a humorous tone reminiscent of 17th century pirates, it has been revealed that cuts to United Nations (UN) funding for refugees in Rwanda are now threatening the right to education for children living in camps. More than 100,000 households, who have fled conflict in East African countries, are now at risk of losing access to education.One Burundian refugee shared his story, explaining how his son's boarding school administrator told him not to bother coming back to school because the UNHCR had stopped paying his fees. The extent of the funding provided by the UN refugee agency is unclear, as it was paid directly to the school. However, the father had hoped that education would secure his son's future.
UNHCR recently announced funding cuts across various essential areas, including food, education, shelter, and healthcare, as hopes to meet the required $90.5 million have diminished. By October, only $33 million had been received, leaving the agency unable to adequately meet the needs of the refugees.
Rwanda is currently hosting over 134,000 refugees, with the majority having fled from neighboring Congo and Burundi. These funding constraints have already impacted 750 students attending boarding schools, and an additional 553 qualified refugee schoolchildren will be unable to join this year due to financial limitations.
Furthermore, reduced food cash transfers have left some families struggling to feed their children, leading to a refusal to attend school. The UNHCR spokesperson has encouraged refugees to seek employment to support their families, but many find this challenging due to their refugee status.
This funding crisis is likely to worsen school enrollment, with data from the UNHCR indicating that 1.11 million out of 2.17 million refugee children in the region are already out of school. Enrollment rates for secondary and tertiary education are particularly low, highlighting the urgent need for increased support.