From crisis to class: how the UN supports education in conflict zones

Of the 234 million school children affected by conflicts worldwide, 85 million children are completely out of school.

The figures are “unprecedented”, Helena Murseli, who heads the United Nations children’s funds (Unicef) The World Emergency Education Team, told UN News.

“These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a world model for climbing conflicts that affect children’s right to learn, “she said.

Childhood without education

In the short and long -term, the consequences of the education of violent crises are serious.

“Education is not only wild, it is also the suspension of life and life,” said Ms. Muvreli.

“When schools close, families also lose their anchor. Children lack the structure, security, the normality that education provides, “she said. “Daily reality is on immediate survival, rather than building them a future.”

Ms. Murseli stressed that long -term impacts are just as important. “Education breaks cycles of conflict and poverty.

Sudan: the largest educational crisis in the world

In terms of figures, Sudan is the greatest educational emergency in the world. To an estimate 19 million children are without schoolAnd 90% of schools are closed nationally Due to violent conflicts underway.

To help approach this crisis, Ms. Muvreli stressed that 2.4 million children returned to school Thanks to more than 850 Makanna centers led by UNICEF – meaning “our space” in Arabic.

UNICEF also supported more than 250,000 children with holistic education services, offering water, sanitation, nutrition and protection students so that they are able to continue their studies.

The organization also uses solar energy tablets for education, “perfect for a country with more than 10 hours of daily sun,” said Ms. Muvreli.

In addition, $ 400 million Transitional educational plan led by the United Nations Educational Organization (Unesco) aims to restore access to education and vocational training.

In the front, Unicef Education support project In Sudan, plans to take care of relatively stable states with printed equipment and distance learning tools.

Systematic destruction of schools in Gaza

War in Gaza and the destruction of 95% of educational infrastructure part 660,000 children outside the school – Almost all of Gaza’s school age population.

Many old unprecedented schools are now used as shelters for displaced people.

A report at the UN Human Rights Council have found that Israeli forces systematically destroyed educational infrastructure in Gaza and described these actions as possible war crimes.

Learn with what is available

According to Ms. Murseli and the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) More than 68,000 children in Gaza have been affected by temporary learning spaces offering psychosocial education and support.

UNICEF also recycles palettes into school furniture and conversion of boxes provided in tables and chairs.

In addition, digital tools to study literacy and numeral courses were provided to nearly 300,000 children of Palestinian refugees.

Ukraine: Education under fire

In Ukraine, 5.3 million children face obstacles to educationand around 115,000 are completely out of school due to to the current war.

With many schools on the front line closed or operating remotely, more than 420,000 children attend school entirely online, while 1 million use a hybrid model.

However, the current energy shortages have reduced access to online learning to two and a day per day, and the school in person is often disturbed by blind attacks.

In regions under Ukraine Russia, the United Nations Human Rights Office said That the authorities apply a militarized and patriotic program and prohibit the Ukrainian language – actions which violate international law, which requires that occupying powers respect the national identity and education of children.

Catch -up course and safe spaces

UNICEF has created 150 student learning centers on the front line and offers catch -up courses twice a week in mathematics and Ukrainian language.

To adapt to the situation on the front lines, Ms. Murseli also highlighted the functioning of schools by UNICEF in underground metro systems and bombs shelters.

In 2025, the organization aims to help more than 500,000 children across the country access to formal education and recreational activities.

To increase safety, Ukraine from the UN also launched an initiative to create protected shelters for students and staff during air raids.

Inaction costs

As crises were deepened and humanitarian funding continues to drop, education programs have faced dramatic cuts.

Mrs. Muvreli stressed that, as humanitarian funding could fall up to 45% by the end of this year, “although it is the absolute priority of families in an emergency, education receives only 3% of humanitarian aid”.

“I think we are at the critical turning point where we need an urgent hierarchy of education and not new cuts,” she said.

In the middle of the rhetoric of a “humanitarian reset” – saving funds by making the humanitarian system more effective – Ms. Muvreli stressed that the holistic education programs that provide students with humanitarian resources to prosper are the key to crises and development with the consequences.

“We are talking about 234 million future for children and, ultimately, global stability and development. The cost of inaction far exceeds the investment necessary to obtain each learning of children affected by the crisis, ”she concluded.