Importance of Education

Education is most at risk in times of crisis. But this is exactly when children and young people need it the most. 75 million school-aged children and youth are in desperate need of educational support, either in danger of, or already missing out on their education. Communities highlight the importance of education during times of crises, yet education appeals receive less than 2% of humanitarian funding. The right to education is most at risk during emergencies but it is also the exact time when it is needed the most. 34 million out-of-school children and youth live in conflict-affected countries. These children are more than twice as likely to be out of school as those in other countries. Youth are two thirds more likely to be out of school. Governments need an extra $8.5 billion a year to close the funding gap for education in emergencies.
UNESCO supports the new Global Fund, which aims to raise nearly US$4 billion to reach 13.6 million children and youth in need of education in emergencies within five years, with the goal to reach 75 million children and youth by 2030.