During periods of conflict, calamity, or displacement, the lives of children are disrupted, and education is frequently the first to be lost and the last to be restored. Nevertheless, learning offers a sense of normalcy, safety, and hope, even in the most fragile circumstances. That is why **Save the Children** prioritizes **Education in Emergencies (EiE)** as a fundamental component of its humanitarian response.
Save the Children has been dedicated to the **protection of children’s rights** for over a century. Currently, this mission encompasses the guarantee that children can **learn, prosper, and influence their futures**, even in the most challenging circumstances.
The Importance of Education in Emergencies
Education for millions of children is disrupted by emergencies, whether they are the result of war, climate disasters, or health crises. In reality, crises have a significant impact on the education of over 222 million school-aged children worldwide, with a significant number of them not engaging in any form of learning.
In these contexts, education encompasses more than the mere teaching of literacy and mathematics. It is:
* **Protects children** from exploitation, trafficking, and child marriage * **Strengthens mental health and psychosocial well-being** * **Restores routine and resilience** in turbulent environments * **Generates optimism** for a brighter future
That is why Save the Children views education as a **lifeline**, rather than a luxury.
The Education in Emergencies Approach of Save the Children
Save the Children, which operates in **more than 100 countries**, promptly provides learning opportunities in the aftermath of crises. Its EiE programming emphasizes three primary components:
1. **Safe Learning Environments and Rapid Response**
In an effort to facilitate the return of children to a secure and organized environment, Save the Children establishes **temporary learning centers** within days of disasters.
The following amenities are included in these child-friendly areas:
† Educational resources and instructional materials
* Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities * Trained educators and facilitators
* Psychological and emotional assistance
2. **Continuity in Learning**
Save the Children guarantees that children continue their education in the event of school closures or displacement by:
* **Distance learning solutions** (radio, TV, mobile apps, and offline kits) * **Catch-up and remedial programs** to address learning gaps * **Teacher support**, including emergency pedagogy and trauma-informed training
3. **Systems Strengthening and Advocacy**
In addition to the immediate response, Save the Children collaborates with governments, donors, and communities to:
* Incorporate EiE into national education plans * Advocate for **inclusive education**, with a particular emphasis on females and children with disabilities
* Ensure that **education is prioritized and funded** in humanitarian responses
Effects on the Ground
In 2023, Save the Children provided education programming to over 13 million children, including those in conflict zones such as Yemen, Syria, Ukraine, and the Rohingya refugee settlements in Bangladesh.
* Save the Children provided temporary classrooms and trauma care in **Sudan**, where violence displaced hundreds of thousands.
* The organization assisted in the reestablishment of schools and the training of teachers in disaster response in **Pakistan** in the aftermath of the devastating flooding.
* In order to assist displaced children, they established digital and community-based learning spaces in **Ukraine**.
Each intervention is customized to meet the distinctive requirements of the community and is motivated by **local partnerships and child voices**.
An Appeal for International Cooperation
Education receives only 3% of humanitarian funding, despite its significance. Save the Children remains at the forefront of global advocacy initiatives, advocating for donors and policymakers to **increase investment in education during emergencies**.
Generations of children are at risk of being left behind in the absence of education. It provides them with the resources necessary to **recover, rebuild, and lead**.
**Even during a crisis, every individual is entitled to the opportunity to learn.** 🌍 Find out more or contribute to Save the Children’s Education in Emergencies initiative: 🔗 [www.savethechildren.org] (https://www.savethechildren.org)