UN says more than 200,000 refugee children are not attending school in Ethiopia due to COVID-19

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said Tuesday that more than 200,000 refugee children are out of school in Ethiopia due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Ethiopian Ministry of Education has initiated consultations with education and health partners on the possible reopening of schools during the new academic year. Schools have been closed since March due to COVID-19, leaving more than 200,000 refugee children out of school, ”the UN refugee agency said in its situation update issued Tuesday.

The East African country is one of the largest refugee-hosting countries in Africa, hosting some 779,261 registered refugees and asylum seekers earlier this month, according to the latest figures from the UN refugee agency.

According to the agency, essential primary health care activities are maintained in all refugee camps, which are currently part of the ongoing national campaign to improve awareness and testing for COVID-19.

He also noted that an additional 200,000 face masks have been delivered to refugee camps to enhance the protection of front-line responders, while infrared thermometers, disposable gloves and surgical masks have been purchased for distribution.

UNHCR, however, emphasized that refugees continue to receive only about 84 percent of the minimum standard food ration of 2,100 kcal per person per day. “This has kept the global rate of acute malnutrition in most camps above acceptable standards.”

It also said that it has received US $ 1.8 million from Education Cannot Wait (ECW) to strengthen its response to COVID-19 in education.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Education is also working with partners to develop guidelines on how to mitigate COVID-19 and ensure a safe learning environment.