Unicef UK Launches Resources To Help School Children Understand The Refugee Crisis

5 May 2016 10:22 AM

Schools Asked To Come Together On Unicef’s Day For Change To Help Children Affected By The Syrian Conflict

To download Unicef UK new teaching resource, visit: unicef.uk/refugee-resource 

This summer term Unicef UK is launching a range of schools resources designed to help teachers explore the refugee and migrant crisis in Europe with their pupils, and to show how children in the UK can help children affected by the conflict in Syria.

Children are fleeing wars and disasters in greater numbers than at any time since World War 2. So many have lost their mums or dads, their homes, their schools. Their lives have been turned upside down.

Unicef UK’s new teaching resource pack “In search of safety: Children and the refugee and migrant crisis in Europe” will help primary and secondary school children to make sense of the current refugee and migrant crisis in Europe. The comprehensive resource includes more than twenty ideas to use in the classroom and will help children learn about their rights and the rights of other children around the world. The resource also contains children’s stories, informative graphics, factsheets and accompanying presentations to use in class.

While learning about the refugee and migrant crisis children will also have the opportunity to raise vital funds for the 8 million Syrian children who are in urgent need of humanitarian aid, by taking part in Unicef UK’s Day for Change.  
Day for Change takes place on Friday 13 May. Schools are encouraged to collect as much loose change for the children of Syria as possible, by hosting any kind of fundraising activity, from a cake sale to a ‘Wear it Blue’ non-uniform day.

The UK government will double every penny raised by schools, until 22nd July, to help Unicef reach even more Syrian children in danger.

Unicef is one of the few agencies working for children inside Syria and in surrounding countries. The money raised by schools will help Unicef provide urgent life-saving supplies to children and families affected by the crisis. For example £6 could help pay for life-saving treatment for a child with pneumonia or diarrhoea, £54 could provide two families with an emergency hygiene kit and £100 could provide support for three children who have suffered the psychological trauma of war.

Unicef UK Deputy Executive Director Lily Caprani said: “It’s easy for children to feel overwhelmed by the scenes in Syria, the Middle East and across Europe. Often they don’t have ways of understanding what they see, and can be particularly vulnerable to feelings of anxiety, stress and sadness. Unicef’s new school resources will help children make sense of the refugee and migrant crisis and will hopefully inspire them to raise vital funds on Day for Change for Syrian children affected by the crisis.” 

International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: “Britain’s young people are more passionate about international issues than any generation before them. Their fundraising efforts show that they understand the leading role that the UK has to play in the world, and that’s why we are doubling every penny schools raise for Syria on Unicef’s Day for Change this June. Together we’ll reach thousands more children caught in this brutal conflict with lifesaving help.”

To download Unicef UK new teaching resource, visit: unicef.uk/refugee-resource 

For more information or to find out how you can get involved in Day for Change visit: unicef.uk/dayforchange 

Notes for editors:

For further information please contact the Unicef UK Press Office on +44 (0)20 7375 6030 or media@unicef.org.uk

About Unicef

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.  

Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children.  As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK. For more information please visit unicef.org.uk