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Education in Emergencies in Syria: Bringing Hope in Times of Conflict

22 June 2017

In response to the ongoing crisis in Syria, UNRWA plays a crucial role in ensuring that Palestine refugee children are able to access quality education through the Agency’s Education in Emergencies Programme (EiE). The programme, funded by the Government of Belgium, supports 46,733 Palestine refugee students in Syria and aims at mitigating the impact of the conflict by fostering their resilience and promoting their overall well-being.

 The UNRWA EiE approach combines the strengths of its education system with innovative new ways of delivering and supporting education, such as safe learning and recreational spaces, learning support activities, interactive self-learning materials, and safety and security training.  The Government of Belgium has contributed EUR 5 million to the UNRWA EiE Programme, part of which is used to support the EiE response in Syria.

The Agency’s innovative and integrated approach to EiE has proven to be successful in delivering quality education to Palestine refugee students in Syria: UNRWA schools in Syria were among the Agency’s highest performing in terms of educational outcomes, equity and attendance. 

The crisis in Syria has had a significant impact on UNRWA education services, resulting in 73 school closures since the start of the conflict. The Agency now runs 101 schools, out of which 57 schools are hosted in government buildings. Husseiniyeh, Rif Damascus, Syria. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Salwa MoussaThrough innovative approaches, the UNRWA EiE response helps ensure that Palestine refugee children can continue to access quality education and learning opportunities, even in times of crisis and conflict. Damascus, Syria. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadRecognizing the likely widespread negative psychosocial impact of the armed conflict on children and teachers, the Agency’s EiE response emphasizes the provision of targeted psychosocial support. Alliance Palestine School, Damascus, Syria. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadThanks to funding from the Government of Belgium, the Agency plans to further build the capacity of 61 counsellors recruited to provide psychosocial support in UNRWA schools across Syria in 2017. Damascus Training Centre, Syria. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadChildren in war-torn Syria are facing extremely difficult challenges on a daily basis. UNRWA engages children in recreational activities to help build their social skills and contribute to their wellbeing and resilience. Khan Dunoun camp, Syria. © 2017 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadUNRWA has developed a Self-Learning Programme (Grades 1-9) to support the continued learning of children who cannot regularly access school. This includes self-learning print materials, UNRWA TV episodes and interactive computer-based learning games in literacy and numeracy. Khan Dunoun camp, Syria. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadIn order to deliver safe and secure quality education services, the EiE programme promotes safety and resilience in UNRWA schools by conducting security training for education staff and students, and carrying out risk assessments and security drills in schools. Homs, Syria. © 2014 UNRWA PhotoThrough its EiE response, UNRWA aims to strengthen parent and community engagement, which involves identifying and mobilizing available resources within the community in support of education, as well as building consensus and support for EiE programme delivery. Damascus, Syria. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid MohammadThanks to contributions from donors like the Government of Belgium, Educate A Child, UNESCO and the European Union, UNRWA gives hope and ensures the continued delivery of quality education to students in war-torn Syria through its Education in Emergencies Programme. Qabr Essit camp, Syria. © 2016 UNRWA Photo by Taghrid Mohammad

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