Education in Emergencies

Introduction

One in four of the world’s school-age children - more than 500 million - lives in countries affected by humanitarian crises such as conflicts, natural disasters and disease outbreaks. About 75 million children are either already missing out on their education, receiving poor quality schooling or at risk of dropping out of school altogether. Without safe places to learn, they are at risk of child labour, child marriage, exploitation and recruitment into armed groups. There were more than 12,700 attacks on schools between 2013 and 2017 - harming over 21,000 students and teachers in at least 70 countries. (TheirWorld, 27 Dec 2018)

When a conflict or natural disaster erupts, education is generally the first service interrupted and the last resumed. Governments are often overwhelmed by the needs and relief aid traditionally focuses on populations’ basic requirements – food, water, shelter and protection – with only 2 to 4 percent of humanitarian funding allocated to education. The annual funding gap in education in emergencies is US$8.5 billion. (Education Cannot Wait)

If education is one of the most underfunded sectors in humanitarian aid, higher education in emergencies is often considered as a luxury. Today, only 1% of the world’s more than 65 million people displaced by war and conflict attend university, compared to the global average of 34%. However, the need for higher education is especially acute in places of conflict, where it is crucial in rebuilding societies and maintaining stability. Higher education is strongly linked to increased opportunity, strengthened economic development, improved public health, and safer communities. It offers young people hope and a path towards a sustainable and independent future. (IIE PEER)

The INEE Minimum Standards handbook sets out the minimum level of educational quality and access to be provided in emergencies, from preparedness and response through to recovery, and is available in many languages.

Must Read

Latest Updates

Manuals and Guidelines

World

Access-to-education strategy 2021 – 2026

ICRC launches its new 2021-2026 strategy on access to education The 9th September marks the International Day to Protect Education from Attack and symbolizes the commitment of states as well as...

Format
Manual and Guideline
Source
Posted
Originally published

World

Mission: Recovering Education in 2021

Highlights Mission to Recover Education 2021: The time to act is now The future of an entire generation is at stake. Disruptions to education systems since early 2020 have already driven substantial...

Format
Manual and Guideline
Sources
Posted
Originally published

World + 6 more

Guidance Note – Environment and the Education sector, RMRP 2021

This guidance note has been developed for the RMRP 2021. Guidance is limited to the context of the region and this emergency. The note is not intended to cover all education-related interventions or...

Format
Manual and Guideline
Source
Posted
Originally published

En français

Haiti

L'éducation partout

Nous sommes au centre de soutien psychosocial assisté par l'UNICEF. Nous partageons ici l'histoire des enfants. Can Remzi Ergen 27 janvier 2022 Il ne s'agit pas seulement d'apprendre. Pour les...

Format
News and Press Release
Source
Posted
Originally published

En español

Jobs

Training