Sudan

Women and children in a refugee camp in Darfur.

credit: Scott Schaeffer-Duffy (pieandcoffee.org)

Children in emergency situations, areas of war and regions of conflict face even greater hurdles when it comes to access to education. It is estimated that in conflict-ridden countries, an estimated 43 million children are unable to attend school regularly. Common barriers to education for children in these situations include discrimination, lack of infrastructure, language barriers, fees, and security issues.

Education is important in times of emergencies as it can save children’s lives. It can protect them from dangers such as military recruitment, child labor and sexual exploitation. It can disseminate key survival messages such as land-mine safety. Education can help with children’s psychological and social well-being by offering them security, stability and hope.

Did you know…

• Education in emergency situations remains one of the most under-funded areas by the international community. One in three primary-aged children who are out of school live in areas affected by conflict.

• In the Democratic Republic of Congo, more than five million children have  dropped out of school and more than six million twelve to  seventeen-year-olds have never been to school.

• In Darfur, only 39% of primary-aged children are enrolled in school.

• In Liberia, after 14 years of conflict during which children were unable to start school, an estimated 60% of primary school students are over-age.