Education for children in emergency situations and protracted crises

18.11.2015

Question for oral answer O-000147/2015
to the Commission
Rule 128
Linda McAvan, on behalf of the Committee on Development

It is estimated that 65 million children are affected by emergencies and protracted crises in 35 countries and that approximately 37 million primary and lower secondary school-age children are not in school in crisis-affected countries. However, education during emergencies is the most underfunded sector, with only two percent of humanitarian aid catering for these needs. While education has not traditionally been considered a humanitarian issue, but rather a case for development cooperation, there is increasing awareness that education should serve as a means for child protection, and for resilience building.

Education during emergencies and crisis situations demonstrates very clearly the need for coherence between EU policies, and the need to bridge the gap between humanitarian and development assistance, linking relief, rehabilitation and development (LRRD).

What concrete steps does the Commission intend to take with a view to ensuring a more integrated, systematic and effective response to education needs in emergencies, in line with LRRD?