News
Education International Tsunami Relief Programme
13 January 2005
| Byline: | Press Release 1/2005 |
|---|---|
| Source: | Info Education International |
Teachers unions in the region hit by the Tsunami suspect that over 75,000 teachers have been affected by the disaster. More information regarding the impact on schools is trickling in
Education International aims to help relaunch the education systems as soon as possible.
"It is going to take possibly months to get a true picture of the destruction in the education sector especially in the far flung islands in Indonesia which till today have not been reached by government or humanitarian aid organisations," stressed the EI Chief Regional Coordinator in Asia, Aloysius Mathews, earlier today.
According to the latest union sources, over 2,000 teachers are missing and about 50% of the schools are destroyed in the province of Aceh in Indonesia. 103 lecturers of the Syah Kuala University (the biggest university in Aceh) have been killed, and 92 are missing. In total, it is feared that the university has lost over one thousand under graduates (killed and unaccounted for). 144 children of the lecturers were also reported missing. In Sri Lanka, more than 80,000 children and 3,000 teachers are displaced. 59 schools are completely damaged and 110 schools partially damaged and all school furniture and equipment destroyed. In Malaysia, the teachers union NUTP reports that 800 school children have been affected in four states.
The aid provided by teachers unions worldwide, channeled through Education International, will prioritise Indonesia and Sri Lanka. EI member organisations in the region mobilised immediately in response to the disaster. Union members provided humanitarian relief in the immediate aftermath of the disaster and are now working to re-establish the education services.
At the initiative of Education International an international trade union fact-finding mission will visit Indonesia/Aceh and Sri Lanka on January 16-22. The mission will be led by Education International's General Secretary, Fred van Leeuwen. He will be accompanied by representatives of EI member organisations and of the international trade union movement. It is hoped that the mission will obtain key information for the provision of further support forteachers and children in the countries affected by the disaster and for the re-establishment of local education facilities.
On 28 December, EI launched an urgent action appeal to member organisations for donations to the EI Tsunami Relief Program. EI allocated immediately from its solidarity fund 30,000 euros in aid for affected teachers in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and India. Donations to the Relief Fund are being received daily from member organisations.
