In the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, a group of girls who have had to flee their homes in Syria dream of their futures. Known as the TIGER Girls, which stands for “These Inspiring Girls Enjoy Reading,” they want to be teachers, doctors, lawyers, and engineers. Yet it’s hard to go to school — there are not enough resources and capacity for every child to get a quality education in emergencies like the Syrian conflict.

Why Prioritize Education in Emergencies?

1. Children in emergencies are especially vulnerable. According to the Overseas Development Institute, 75 million children in 35 countries affected by crisis need support. And in a report released by UNICEF, refugees are five times more likely to be out of school than other children.

2. Education in emergencies is underfunded. Since 2010, only about 2% of humanitarian funding has been spent on education. To support the education needs of the 75 million children in crisis, ODI states that $8.5 billion annually is needed — about $113 per child, per year.

3. Education is essential to a child’s life, especially during times of crisis. Education provides opportunities for the future; it also provides hope, a sense of normalcy, and a safe space for children who have experienced trauma.

4. There are solutions to help children in emergencies. From adapting education materials to the languages of children in need, to strengthening the capacity of local school systems where displaced children are living, to recruiting more teachers, there are known ways to help children in emergencies learn and grow. We need the resources and will to translate these solutions to results for children.

5. You can help. The UN and partners are working to help vulnerable children go to school and learn.

Read the full article about the reasons to support education in emergencies by Chloe Bennett United Nations Foundation.