Malala Pledges $300,000 for Girls’ Education and Emergency Relief in Gaza, Sudan, and DR Congo
Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has chosen to start the new year by announcing a $300,000 grant for girls affected by war in Gaza, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The activist posted the announcement on Instagram with details of three organisations which will receive the grant. The organisations, each working on the ground in one of the conflict zones, will work towards providing emergency relief and education for girls and women.
Yousafzai directed scathing remarks towards governments across the globe, wishing they’d “find a fraction of the courage these girls show every day and take action to protect their right to learn”. She also fired a volley at international bodies such as the United Nations, calling them to “uphold international law and protect children’s right to safety and education”.
In Gaza, the Malala Fund will be partnering with the Taawon Welfare Association, which is helping children stay connected to education by providing safe spaces for learning and mental health support.
In her post, the activist said, “For children in Gaza, education remains one of the few anchors of safety, structure, and hope amid ongoing devastation. They deserve classrooms, protection, and dignity, not hunger or the loss of a future.”
The Mutual Aid Sudan Coalition, a welfare organisation run by Sudanese women, will receive the funds earmarked for the country. Their Women’s Response Rooms provide lifesaving support to victims of armed conflict, including food for women and children suffering from malnutrition, assistance for survivors of gender-based violence and safe spaces for children.
In Congo, the Panzi Hospital and Foundation, which provides specialised care to women during pregnancy and childbirth, will be receiving a grant from the Malala Fund. The organisation also provides support to survivors of sexual violence.
The announcement comes on the heels of a $100,000 grant to the International Network for Aid, Relief and Assistance in Egypt. Those funds were given to support the provision of shelter, medical care, education and mental health support for Gazan refugees. - Images
