Chad: Education and Protection from Sexual Violence – Key Priorities for Refugees in Cameroon, says ActionAid
Action Aid
Relief Web
Mar 4, 2008
Schools and safety vital to the response as over 20,000 refugees leave neighbouring Chad
4 March, Maltam Refugee camp (North Eastern Cameroon) - Giving children access to school and protecting women from sexual violence must be urgent priorities in the response to assist up to 20,000 refugees arriving in Cameroon.
ActionAid is working with UNICEF in Maltam providing recreational and educational opportunities for children.
'These people will have to live at the camp for a minimum of several months and we need to make sure children have access to schools,' says Arlette Vondo who is co-ordinating ActionAid's operations in the refugee camp.
ActionAid conducted a needs assessment in Maltam and is now supporting the government in recruiting teachers and building five schools for around 2000 children in need of education.
'We have already witnessed an increase of alcoholism and prostitution among some women and girls in the camp. More girls have sex in exchange for some food. All the actors have to unite to stop this,' Arlette Vondo explains.
ActionAid is working with UNFPA to find ways to launch training programmes to educate and inform people on the issues of sexual violence this week as the world marks International Women Day on the 8th of March.
ActionAid is an international anti-poverty agency working in over 40 countries, taking sides with poor people to end poverty and injustices together.
For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Alexandre Polack, + 32 4 73 86 18 92
