Education in emergencies
Education is a lifeline for children in crises.
Wars, epidemics and natural disasters spare no children. More countries are gripped by conflict today than at any time in the past thirty years. Many of these crises span entire childhoods.
In countries affected by emergencies, children lose their loved ones and homes. They lose access to safe drinking water, health care and food. They lose safety and routine. And, without access to education, they risk losing their futures.
Between 2015 and 2019, attacks on education in 93 countries were reported.
An estimated 35 million children around the world have been forcibly displaced. Nearly half of school-age refugee children are out of school.
Girls are nearly 2.5 times more likely to be out of school in conflict-affected countries compared to girls in other places.
A lifeline
For children in emergencies, education is about more than the right to learn.
Schools protect children from the physical dangers around them – including abuse, exploitation and recruitment into armed groups. They provide children with lifesaving food, water, health care and hygiene supplies. And they offer psychosocial support, giving children stability and structure to help them cope with the trauma they experience every day.
Parents and children affected by crisis consistently cite education as a top priority. When children are educated, entire communities benefit.
Education boosts economic growth and reduces poverty and inequality. It increases individuals’ ability to lead a healthy life, participate in society and restore peace and stability.
Still, despite the enormous benefits to children, societies and entire countries, education is often the first service suspended and the last to be restored during crisis. On average, the education sector receives less than 3 per cent of humanitarian aid.
Funding is not the only shortfall. In emergency settings, teaching and staff shortages prevent education systems from meeting children’s many needs. Data gaps hinder decision makers from assessing the situation and responding effectively. And coordination challenges inhibit humanitarian teams from acting as efficiently as needed.
UNICEF’s work to deliver education in emergencies
UNICEF works to provide uninterrupted education for every child affected by humanitarian crisis – especially girls, children with disabilities, internally displaced children, refugees and migrants.
We help children develop skills to cope with the trauma of crisis, and supply them with learning spaces that are safe, child-friendly and equipped with water and sanitation facilities. Our work builds capacity by training teachers, supplying learning materials and supporting Governments to reduce the risk of disaster.
Through all we do, UNICEF strongly advocates for a child’s right to education and a protective learning environment, forging partnerships at the national and global levels to safeguard learning for every child. We also support Governments as they implement the Safe Schools Declaration and Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict.
More from UNICEF
Resources
Checklist of key considerations to promote effective and equitable learning recovery
In line with the Framework for Reopening Schools, UNICEF has developed a checklist of key considerations and enablers for Ministries of Education to reach those who have been left behind. It provides practical examples on how to identify those who have been left behind; focuses on learning recovery to catch up on learning and how to provide tailored and comprehensive support to support well-being and protection needs are being met.
Education in Emergencies Global Course
This self-paced course aims to impart foundational knowledge and skills relating to education in emergencies and is designed for UNICEF education staff, education stakeholders and implementing partners.
Response analysis tool - Effective decision-making on the use of cash and voucher assistance for education outcomes in emergencies
This guidance note outlines information on the use of cash and vouchers in education in emergencies.
Cash and voucher assistance targeting for education outcomes - How to select beneficiaries to advance equity and maximize results
This guidance note discusses how to select beneficiaries to advance equity and maximize results, especially regarding the retention of girls in education.
Education Uprooted
This advocacy brief discusses ways to provide education for uprooted children, which will require funding, creativity and commitment.
Risk-Informed Education Programming for Resilience: Guidance Note
This guidance note aims to help UNICEF education staff working in humanitarian, transition and development contexts analyze risk and adapt policies and programmes so that education systems are more resilient and all children are in school and learning.
Learning for Peace
This knowledge hub provides resources for peacebuilding, education and advocacy.
Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack
The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack produces “Education Under Attack” studies, detailing attacks on schools, universities and their students and staff.
Education Cannot Wait
Explore resources from the first global fund dedicated to education in emergencies and protracted crises.
Accelerated Education Working Group
This network provides tools, guidance notes, reports, case studies and multimedia resources on what works best and how to design, adapt and implement Accelerated Education Programmes.
Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Education Sector
This site provides research, evidence and guidance on risk-reduction education and comprehensive school safety.