Mexico Earthquakes Damage 5100 Schools, 7 Million Children Affected

Nearly 5,100 schools have been damaged or destroyed in Mexico following two powerful earthquakes that struck less than two weeks apart, threatening access to education for thousands of children – UNICEF said Saturday.

According to UNICEF, some seven million children live in areas affected by the earthquakes on September 8 and September 19.

“We are deeply concerned by the substantial damage sustained by schools in the hardest hit communities and the impact this could have for children,” said Christian Skoog, UNICEF Representative in Mexico.

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“It is essential that we find urgent solutions to get them back in the classroom as quickly as possible, both to secure their futures and to help restore a sense of normalcy to their lives following these traumatic experiences.”

UNICEF is working with its partners in areas affected by the earthquakes to establish temporary schools, promote school safety guidelines, train teachers in psychosocial support, and distribute education supplies and early childhood development kits to teachers and caregivers.

Photo courtesy: UNICEF