EU, UNICEF to restore quake damaged schools in Nepal

The EU and the UNICEF have joined hands to implement a project worth 4 million euros to help restore education for one million children affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Nepal last year.
"The project worth 4 million euro includes construction of 650 transitional learning centres, provision of essential learning materials in the newly established centres as well as psychosocial counselling training to teachers in nine earthquake affected districts of Gorkha, Kavrepalanchowk, Makwanpur, Nuwakot, Okhaldhunga, Ramechhap, Rasuwa, Sindhuli and Sindhupalchowk," a statement issued by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Nepal office, said today.
The project will be implemented in collaboration with the Department of Education and the concerned district administrations and non governmental organisations, it said.

"Over the years, Nepal has made significant educational gains, including the nearly 100 per cent primary enrollment rate," said Rensje Teerink, Ambassador, European Union (EU) delegation to Nepal.
"These gains are at a risk today, especially with massive damages to schools and classrooms during the Nepal earthquakes," he said.
A structural assessment of all schools in the 14 most affected districts found that over 34,500 classrooms were damaged or destroyed beyond use, affecting the education of one million children.

"Collective efforts are needed so that all kids have decent learning opportunities to avoid negative long term effects of the 2015 disaster," Teerink said.

The EU-UNICEF partnership seeks to help restore the education of these children by assuring safe learning environments and emotional support for them," he added.
The Nepal earthquake which happened in April killed over 9,000 people and injured more than 23,000 was followed by about 300 aftershocks. An estimated 500,000 buildings were destroyed or severely damaged.