CHF-DMA-0489-094ER “Emergency education for enhanced protection of conflict and drought affected children in 7 primary schools in Merka, Lower Shabelle” – 195,389$

Lower Shabelle is facing a severe and increasingly acute drought which is indeed exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation whereas civil insecurity, political instability and confrontations between armed groups continue to drive human rights abuses, violence, killings, and population displacement. The migrant populations in search of water and pasture or other viable economic activities to sustain themselves, as a result of the ongoing drought, are passing through highly endemic geographical areas for AWD and measles. Informal settlements and a population increase has been observed in urban areas such as Merka (WHO Weekly Highlights 12-18 February 2011).Children are among those who suffer most from crises – both in the short and long term. Access to education remains largely insufficient: only 28% of school age children are reported to attend school in Merka due to conflict, drought and poverty.Children’s poor living conditions translate into high mortality rates. Reports by COSV Field Education Supervisor, teachers, CECs and educational boards show that attendance rates have been decreasing  in the 7 primary schools supported in Merka Town (4,021 registered pupils in 2008 vs the current enrolment of 2,473) as resources in the community are depleted due to worsening drought and civil conflict. School facilities in Merka need urgent rehabilitation and maintenance interventions. Unfavorable weather conditions compounded with the prolonged civil conflict have greatly affected the status of the existing school buildings. 

Priority needs identified by COSV and teaching staff from the target primary schools include: Mobilization of communities to send their children back to school; Rehabilitation of schools and classrooms to strengthen their capacity to absorb additional displaced learners; Provision of psychosocial support, peace education and inclusion of life-saving and rights based messages into the school curriculum; Preparation of community-based disaster risk reduction and early warning mechanism; Emergency School Feeding program and Teacher incentives.