Education in emergencies capacity statement 2023
This capacity statement explains Plan International's approach to education in emergencies and impact in this area is 2023.
Education in emergencies
Education in emergencies is the provision of safe, inclusive and quality learning opportunities for children and adolescents affected by crises.
What is education in emergencies?
Education in emergencies ensures that children and adolescents affected by crises have access to safe, inclusive, and high-quality learning opportunities.
It supports their physical protection, emotional wellbeing and cognitive development during some of the most difficult times in their lives.
Education in emergencies encompasses formal and non-formal education and alternative learning, from early childhood through adolescence, and is delivered in settings such as refugee camps, conflict zones and disaster-affected communities.
It ensures that children can continue learning, even when everything else has been disrupted.
Why education in emergencies matters
Around the world, 234 million school-aged children are affected by conflict, disaster and displacement. Of these, 85 million are out of school. For these children, education is more than just learning—it’s a lifeline.
When children are out of school during emergencies, they face increased risks of violence, child labour, early marriage, recruitment into armed groups and trafficking. Girls are especially vulnerable to gender-based violence and exploitation.
Education provides a protective environment where children are supervised, supported and safe. It also gives them the tools to survive and recover. For example, children learn lifesaving skills like how to stay safe during and prepare for disasters or conflict.
Education is one of the most effective long-term investments in child survival and wellbeing. Children of educated mothers are significantly less likely to suffer from malnutrition or die before the age of 5. If all women completed secondary education, child mortality could be reduced by nearly 50%.
Displaced by conflict, now back in school
After leaving her home and spending a year out of school due to conflict, Zaida has returned to education to follow her ambition of becoming a nurse.
Our approach
Plan International is a global leader in education in emergencies. We work in over 40 countries to deliver education that meets the urgent needs of 5 million children and supports long-term recovery and resilience.
Our programmes focus on:
- Safe learning spaces: Establishing temporary classrooms and rehabilitating damaged schools to provide safe, protective environments for learning.
- Mental health and psychosocial support: Supporting children’s emotional wellbeing through play, storytelling and mindfulness.
- Teacher training: Equipping teachers with the skills to deliver lifesaving content and support children’s mental health and protection needs.
- Alternative and non-formal education: Offering accelerated education, catch-up classes and mobile education for children who have missed school.
- Gender equality and inclusion: Ensuring learning spaces are safe and accessible for girls, children with disabilities and address barriers like menstrual hygiene and gender-based violence.
- Integrated services: Using schools as hubs for clean water, nutrition, vaccinations and referrals to health and child protection services.
Driving change through policy and advocacy
We don’t just respond to emergencies—we strengthen education systems to ensure children can access safe, quality and continuous learning, even in the face of crises.
We advocate at local, national and global levels to ensure education is prioritised in every humanitarian response. Our work includes:
- Raising the profile of education in emergencies: Ensuring education is included in emergency response plans and receives adequate funding. Despite growing needs, only 3% of humanitarian funding is allocated to education.
- Championing gender equality and inclusion: Advocating for policies that protect the rights of girls in all their diversity and children with disabilities to ensure education systems are inclusive and safe.
- Supporting the Safe Schools Declaration: Helping governments and communities protect education from attack and implement school safety plans.
- Evidence-based advocacy: Using research and data to influence global policy and improve education outcomes in crisis settings.
Salimata is happy to stay in school
Despite having fled violence, Salimata is still able to attend school after her family received a cash transfer.
Driving global standards through collaboration
Our work is grounded in internationally recognised standards and driven by collaboration with key global partners.
We follow the INEE Minimum Standards for Education and the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability, ensuring our programmes are effective, inclusive and accountable. We also apply a crisis-and conflict-sensitive approach to all our work.
We are active members of leading inter-agency networks, including:
- Global Education Cluster (Strategic Advisory Board)
- Education Cannot Wait (Gender Reference Group co-chair)
- Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (Steering Committee)
- Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (Steering Committee)
- School Meals Coalition
Through these platforms, we help shape global policy, develop technical guidance and coordinate effective responses that protect children’s right to education—no matter the crisis.
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