Malala gifts $50,000 prize money to help rebuild wrecked Gaza schools
Children in conflicts
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Malala Yousafzai is to donate a $50,000 prize towards the rebuilding of United Nations-run schools that were damaged in the Gaza conflict.
The said she would hand over all of the money from the prestigious World Children鶹APPs Prize, which she accepted in Sweden today.
Malala said: 鶹APPI am donating these funds to the , which is performing heroic work to serve children in Gaza, in very difficult circumstances.
鶹APPThe needs are overwhelming 鶹APP more than half of Gaza鶹APPs population is under 18 years of age. They want and deserve quality education, hope and real opportunities to build a future.鶹APP
Sixty-five schools were damaged during the recent conflict, many of them as they housed refugees who had fled from the violence.
Malala, who was in Stockholm to receive the prize, added: 鶹APPInnocent Palestinian children have suffered terribly and for too long. We must all work to ensure Palestinian boys and girls, and all children everywhere, receive a quality education in a safe environment.
鶹APPBecause without education, there will never be peace. Let us stand together for peace and education because together we are more powerful.鶹APP
UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl said he was 鶹APPdeeply touched鶹APP by Malala鶹APPs decision to donate the money.
He said: 鶹APPRecognition by you, a Nobel Laureate, who has shown so much personal courage and has campaigned so valiantly for the essential right of a child to receive an education, will lift the spirits of a quarter of a million UNRWA students in Gaza and boost the morale of our more than 9000 teaching staff there.
鶹APPTheir suffering during the fighting was devastating and your kindness will do much to ease the pain of recent months.鶹APP
Mr Krähenbühl said UNWRA shared Malala鶹APPs belief that education was vital in helping to lift girls and boys out of opression and exclusion.
About UNRWA is a United Nations agency which helps about five million Palestininian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Its services include education, health care, relief and social services.
Children in conflicts and emergencies is one of the 100-day themes of the #EducationCountdown. .
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