War's Legacy: Millions of Yemeni Children Denied Education
Cover photo: Yemeni children studying in a destroyed building
Summary
Despite a Truce, Millions Out of School: Even with a ceasefire, ongoing violence and poverty prevent 4.5 million Yemeni children, or 2 in 5, from attending school.
Displaced Children Most Vulnerable: Children forced to flee their homes are twice as likely to drop out of school due to insecurity and disrupted lives.
Economic Hardship a Barrier: With two-thirds of Yemenis in poverty, many families cannot afford school fees or supplies, forcing children to work instead.
Nine years of conflict have pushed Yemen's education system to the brink of collapse, with a staggering two in five children, or 4.5 million, out of school, according to a new report by Save the Children.
The report, titled "Hanging in the Balance: Yemeni Children's Struggle for Education," found that despite a UN-brokered truce in 2022, violence and economic hardship continue to devastate the country's youth.
While large-scale fighting hasn't reignited, a sense of safety remains elusive for students. 76% of students surveyed reported no improvement in their feeling of security, with 14% of families citing violence as a direct reason for dropping out.
The report also highlights the plight of internally displaced children, who are twice as likely to drop out of school. Ongoing insecurity prevents displaced families from returning home, further hindering educational opportunities.
Economic hardship is another major barrier. With two-thirds of the population living below the poverty line, many families simply cannot afford school fees and supplies. Over 44% of caregivers reported the need for children to contribute to household income as a primary reason for dropping out.
"We are confronting an education emergency like never before," said Mohamed Mannaa, Save the Children Interim Country Director in Yemen. "Our latest findings must be a wake-up call."
Save the Children is urging all parties to commit to a renewed peace process, ensure the protection of schools, and increase funding for education. The agency warns that without immediate intervention, a generation of Yemeni children will be left behind.
@SavetheChildren @UN
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