In Tanzania alone, over 50 000 children face severe educational disruptions or complete cessation of schooling due to these funding shortfalls.
A headteacher at a refugee camp in north-western Tanzania described the impact as having "heartbreaking consequences" for children who now lack access to essential learning and protection services.
Angela Kauleni, Country Director at Save the Children International in Tanzania, highlighted the dire consequences of the cuts.
"The sudden funding cuts have had a profound impact on Save the Children Tanzania’s social programmes. Thousands of vulnerable children in the Burundian refugee response in western Tanzania are now without support, particularly in education and child protection."
The funding cuts have forced the closure of five primary schools in refugee camps, affecting nearly 65 000 children. Additionally, eight child-friendly spaces, previously serving over 16 000 children, have been shut down.
Over 13 000 refugee children have lost access to mental health and psychosocial support services, and case management services for 256 vulnerable children, including survivors of abuse, have been suspended.
Kauleni warned that the loss of these vital services could lead to a total collapse of the education and child protection systems that have been in place for years.
"We cannot stand by while years of progress unravel. We need the global community to act swiftly to restore funding and ensure that these essential programmes continue to safeguard the futures of these children."
In response to the crisis, Save the Children is urgently calling on international donors, humanitarian agencies, and private sector partners to provide alternative funding. The organisation is also advocating for a localisation agenda, where collaboration with the Tanzanian government, private sector, and communities can create long-term, sustainable solutions to support refugee children.
While long-term strategies require joint planning and investment, Kauleni stressed that immediate support is necessary to prevent further disruption. "International donors and humanitarian agencies must step in now to fill the gap while governments and key stakeholders work on sustainable solutions."
--ChannelAfrica--
