Ankara:Education officials at the United Nations are urging governments and donors to enhance support for children affected by conflicts and disasters, particularly emphasizing the severe impact of the conflict in the Gaza Strip on educational access.

According to Anadolu Agency, Gordon Brown, the UN special envoy for global education, has pointed out that hundreds of millions of children globally are deprived of education due to conflict, displacement, and climate-related disasters. He stressed the importance of nurturing the potential of all children, rather than just a select few, during a UN briefing.

In Gaza, hundreds of thousands of children are unable to attend school, and many young children lack access to preschool education. Maysa Jalbout, director of Education Cannot Wait (ECW), announced that the organization is allocating $3 million in emergency funding to support vulnerable children in Gaza, including those with injuries and disabilities from the conflict. This initiative aims to reach up to 13,000 children through local organizations.

Jalbout highlighted that Gaza has the highest number of child amputees per capita globally, illustrating the conflict's profound impact on children. ECW is also addressing education needs in other disaster-affected regions. In Nepal, where recent floods and landslides have damaged or destroyed 29 schools, ECW has committed $1 million to assist children in returning to their studies.

Although the crises in Gaza and Nepal differ, Jalbout noted that the consequences for children are often similar, as educational opportunities cease, protection is lost, and their futures are uncertain. ECW is currently seeking $600 million in new funding to assist an additional 10 million children affected by crises worldwide.