Understanding the Issue

Children of conflict are victim to some of the world’s most horrifying emergency situations.
These children live in refugee camps, are displaced within their own countries, live in war-torn societies, or are trying to rebuild their future in a post-conflict environment. The Education Partnership also includes children living in areas ravaged by natural disasters.

Tens of millions of out-of-school children live in conflict-affected countries.
These children may have lost their home, witnessed the death of a parent or sibling, escaped recruitment as a child soldier, or serve as the primary caretaker for his or her family. These children live in chaotic environments with limited resources and have lost any sense of normalcy they once had in their lives. At the same time, these children have the same hopes, dreams, and aspirations as any other child.

Education is a vital part of a comprehensive humanitarian strategy for conflict, post-conflict and refugee settings.
Education can provide a healing and safe place for children of conflict; it can provide a sense of much needed normalcy in a chaotic conflict environment, it can teach non-violence and understanding, and, most importantly, it can give young people who have been through the worst misfortune, the tools to build a better life for themselves and a better future for their nations.

Education in emergencies & post-conflict situations is significantly under funded. Children of conflict fall through the cracks. Education is too often overlooked because it is not seen as “life-saving” or because donors do not trust the governments of the countries in which these children live.

Children of conflict are not isolated to one region of the world. This issue affects the lives of children across the globe, from Latin America and Africa to Asia and the Middle East. Eighteen countries have over one-half million out-of-school children of conflict living within their borders; millions more may be in school but are receiving low quality education.

Conflict-Affected Countries with Over 500,000
Out-of-School Children