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NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact: Lurma Rackley,Public Relations Director,Phone: +1.404.979.9450 (Atlanta),Mobile: +1.404.394.8298,E-mail:,lrackley@care.org

Pakistan Floods: Two Million Children Will Miss Out on School

CARE rehabilitates schools and plans psychological support for children

ISLAMABAD

"On
World Literacy Day, the international community should look at the
catastrophic school situation after the floods in Pakistan," says
Heribert Scharrenbroich, chair of CARE Germany-Luxembourg on World
Literacy Day, Wednesday, September 8.

Because of the
floods in Pakistan, two million children could miss out on school at the
beginning of this school year, either because their school buildings
were destroyed or are being used as emergency shelters. "If children
cannot go to school for a long time, then education, one of the most
important pillars of poverty reduction, is being set back. Education is
the springboard for children and young people to a better future,"
said Scharrenbroich.

In September, the school year started
again in Pakistan. But in the flooded regions the start was postponed.
The situation for the people of Pakistan continues to be dramatic.
According to the United Nations, nine million children are affected,
about 10,000 schools were damaged and 6,600 schools are currently being
used as emergency shelters for displaced persons.

CARE
will rehabilitate 42 schools in the Khyber Pakhtoonkwa province, near
the border with Afghanistan, and will equip it with furniture and
school materials. Most of these schools are girls' schools.

"It
is also important that you not only to take care of buildings, but
also the souls of the traumatized children," the CARE chairman says.
"In the coming weeks, CARE will assist children with a psychosocial
program. In a disaster situation, it is not only important to
distribute relief supplies and construct shelters but also to take care
of children and young people with sports and play so we can handle
their depression and trauma. We will also carry out workshops in which
parents learn to recognize the trauma of their children and help them
to overcome them."

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. We place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Women are at the heart of CARE's community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives.