In 2012, violent clashes in Mali forced thousands of people to flee their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs, with over 50,000 seeking refuge in Niger. The already over-stretched school system has been struggling to cope after a further influx of refugees from Nigeria.
The International Rescue Committee understands how vital education can be for creating stability and reducing trauma for children affected by conflict. Through the Children of Peace initiative the IRC and the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) are training teachers, rebuilding classrooms, providing a quality education, as well as leisure activities, and helping children have a normal childhood. The IRC is also working closely with parents and the community to invest in the futures of their children through education.