Emergency education is a priority to help the thousands of children who have lived through tragedies and trauma.

The deadly earthquakes that devastated the Indonesian island of Lombok have left 460 people dead and scared tourists away.

A series of tremors between July 29 and August 9 also damaged hundreds of schools, leaving thousands of children without crucial education and safe spaces following a traumatic experience.

The country’s National Disaster Management Authority said more than 600 educational institutions were damaged in Lombok, which is home to more than 3.3 million people. The Education Ministry said yesterday that this included 341 primary schools and 124 kindergartens.

He said tents and schools for emergency classes would soon be built to allow students to quickly resume their studies.

Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (YPII) staff estimated that more than 1,000 educational establishments were damaged. YPII emergency response officer Hana Yulia said 455 schools suffered serious damage.

he added: “Most of the people are still displaced. They need safe shelter, clean water, hygiene kits and advice, especially children who are very afraid to go back inside buildings. “

YPII staff said thousands of children, many of whom were left homeless following the first earthquake on July 31, have not been to school for more than a week.

Plan International’s national director Dini Widiastuti said YPII was one of the first agencies on the ground and sought to prioritize education and psychosocial support for children.

“We have sent 1000 school kits to Lombok and will erect our first large tent which will be used to provide psychosocial support to children affected by the earthquake,” she said.

“It could also be used as a temporary school, but currently we are liaising with the local government on this.”

Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited earthquake victims in an emergency camp and assured them that their children’s education would be a priority.

Education International said the teachers’ union PGRI had provided urgent supplies teachers and students needed, including emergency school tents, uniforms and education kits.

Ibu Wingkan, 40, mother of two young girls, told CARE Indonesia that her house was destroyed.

“Since the first earthquake, my husband and I have not been able to go to our paddy field,” she said. “We have lost our income, our house and the children’s school are destroyed. I’m so scared and I don’t know how we’re going to manage. “

Helen Vanwel, Country Director of CARE International Indonesia, said: “It’s hard to imagine the panic people are facing right now. Imagine already seeing your house crumble and the earth continues to rumble.

“As parents try to protect and comfort their children, there is a growing urgency and need for clean water, food and shelter.”

The National Disaster Management Authority and the Lombok Earthquake Command Post said 606 schools, three hospitals and 67,875 homes were damaged.

He said yesterday’s human toll was 460 people killed, 7,700 injured and 417,000 displaced.