Syrian children to get schooling

Hundreds of children from Syrian families who moved to the UAE escaping the civil war in their country will benefit from Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, it was announced yesterday.

More than 250,000 Syrians call the UAE their home and according to a senior UNHCR official at least half of the Syrian residents here are those who fled by the war, with many unable to afford their children’s education.

“More than 350 candidates who need support in continuing their education have already approached us for help and going forward we expect more people to benefit from the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund,” said Toby Howard, Head of UNHCR in the UAE.

He added that Syrian expatriates in the UAE have been burdened having to support large families here and relatives elsewhere.

“There are so many Syrians here who are struggling to make ends meet because they have too many people to support and this has forced many of the families to discontinue their children’s education and we are looking forward to helping these children to get back to school,” said Howard.