The Government of Japan has given US$6.2 million to UN children’s agency UNICEF to support peacebuilding and education efforts for conflict-affected children of Mindanao, including children disengaged from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) armed forces, an Inquirer online article said on March 27.
In a statement released recently, UNICEF Philippines said, “The program is broadly aligned with the country’s peace process under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro led by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
Conflict affects multiple aspects of children’s development, including survival, gender equity, poverty reduction and access to education. Children living in fragile or conflict-affected countries are more than twice as likely to be malnourished, three times as likely to miss primary school and almost twice as likely to die before age five compared to children in developing countries, UNICEF said in its statement.
“We are very happy to begin a close partnership with the Government of Japan. Japan has been a staunch supporter of the peace process and the economic and social development of conflict-affected Mindanao. We are one in our belief that children can only grow and develop to their full potential if they live in a peaceful society without armed conflict,” UNICEF Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander says.
The program within the mandate of UNICEF aims to deliver quality enhancement and expansion of basic social services through basic education, early learning and social re-integration of conflict-affected children and youth.
It will also support children (child soldiers) who have been disengaged from the MILF’s armed forces through social protection, psychosocial support, life skills training and other learning opportunities.
On his part, Mr. Kazuhide Ishikawa, Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines said, “We believe that education is surely the key for the peace and development in the long run, this project will serve as the foundation for their future through utilizing the expertise of UNICEF. I sincerely believe that these projects will greatly contribute to the social and economic development of the Philippines. At the same time, these projects will mark another milestone in strengthening the friendship between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines as well as the strategic partnership between our two countries”.
http://www.luwaran.net/home/index.php/news/19-national/1125-japan-gives-6m-for-children-s-education-in-conflict-affected-areas-in-mindanao
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