More than 6,4 million children in the world are refugees and displaced persons, forced to move within their own country or across borders due to wars and other emergencies. More than half, that is 3 million children between the ages of 5 and 17, were unable to attend school last year (UNHCR data). In Iraq, in particular, where it is estimated that there are approximately 3,1 million refugees on the move within the borders, plus 239.000 Syrian refugees, the presence of unexploded devices makes it difficult to travel to school. In Niger, however, 2016 schools located along the border with Nigeria were closed in 151. It is estimated that 32 out of 100 children in the Diffa region do not go to school and only 35% of pupils complete the educational path. Crisis situations have a destructive effect on access to education: many schools close, displaced families are unable to afford education costs, forced travel removes children from school, increasing the danger of involvement in armed groups and in organized crime. Girls, in particular, are more than twice as likely as their male peers to leave education from an early age, with a high risk of falling victim to sexual violence and forced early marriages. To guarantee access to education to refugee and displaced minors even in contexts of conflict and violence, COOPI - International Cooperation carries out emergency education interventions, particularly in Niger, where thousands of people have found refuge from the violence of the terrorist group of Boko Haram, and in Iraq, where the war has been going on since 2013. To continue to do so, COOPI is launching the "Help a warrior" campaign, to which it is possible to contribute until January 28 with text messages and calls to the solidarity number 45541. The little warriors supported by COOPI are those children who every day in these countries challenge threats and dangers to do what is normal and obvious in other parts of the world, such as going to school and having an education. ?
