Education in emergencies
Education is a lifeline for children in crises.
https://www.unicef.org/education/emergencies
​​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
UNICEF/UN0248443/Watad
​
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.
Over 470 million children – more than one in six globally – live in areas affected by conflict. Education has been severely disrupted in these conflict zones – by the end of 2024, more than 52 million children in countries affected by conflict are estimated to be 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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=503yhnoSUeM
​
​
​
​
​
​
