Save the Children US applauds decision to allow Iraqi children into Jordanian schools

Amman, JORDAN (August 2, 2007) - Save the Children US welcomes the announcement by the government of Jordan that all school-age Iraqi children will have access to its public and private schools during the coming academic year.

Jordan hosts approximately 750,000 Iraqis who have fled the conflict in their country, according to the United Nations. It is estimated that up to half of those displaced by the violence in Iraq are children.

"Education today is hope for tomorrow," said Dennis Walto, Save the Children US's country director for Jordan and Lebanon. "Iraqi children here have been forced to leave behind all that is familiar - homes, schools, friends and family. Getting them back into school is the first step to helping them regain a sense of normalcy and hope for the future."

The 2007/08 Jordanian school year begins August 19.

"Jordan has made a difficult and commendable humanitarian decision and is working with the international community to find solutions," said Walto. "Save the Children stands ready to provide assistance as needed."

Save the Children US is working across the region to assist the estimated 2.2 million people who have fled Iraq. The agency - which is focusing on education in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon - co-chairs the Education Coordination Committee established by UNICEF and UNHCR, and serves as co-lead of the UN Education Cluster, which focuses on assisting the government of Jordan in its efforts to provide quality education to all students in the country.

Save the Children US has been active in Jordan since 1985 developing, implementing, scaling up and sustaining a continuum of highly successful programs to improve the living conditions and opportunities of young children, youth, women and families. For more information about the Jordan programs, visit: www.savethechildren.org/countries/middle_east_eurasia/jordan.asp

Of the 77 million primary-school-age children not in school around the world, more than half - 39 million - live in areas affected by armed conflict. Over the next five years, Save the Children will provide quality education for 8 million children affected by conflict, including 3 million currently not in school, through its Rewrite the Future campaign.