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What we do

Education

education-tint.png Education

Overview

Education is often the first service to disappear in emergencies and the last to be resumed. Crises are lasting entire generations, and the 75 million children affected by them are in need of immediate educational support. Children in fragile settings experiencing conflict are more than twice as likely to be out of school compared with those living in countries not affected by conflict. Similarly, adolescents in these settings are two-thirds more likely to be out of school. Girls, children with disabilities, and refugees have even greater barriers to accessing education.

Education is critical for securing brighter futures for individuals whose lives have been disrupted by conflict or disaster. Education is also protecting boys and girls against further violence and exploitation, as well as contributing to their resilience. Relief International’s education programs creatively respond to the needs of the most vulnerable children and adolescents who live in volatile environments so that they don’t lose out on their future or lose hope in their own potential.

All of Relief International’s education work is underpinned by protection measures. This means we ensure that groups with high vulnerability or special needs have access and dignity in attaining the education they need to thrive.

Relief International specializes in providing education for children and young adults in fragile settings, many of whom are at risk of dropping out or being left behind. Our vision is for education to be fundamentally lifesaving and life-transforming. Ultimately, we want education to equip children and young people to be the architects and guardians of their own and their communities’ futures.

We do so by focusing on four pillars:

  • Equitable Access: All children have the right to access and complete a full course of education opportunities. Relief International specifically focuses on the primary and secondary years. We ensure equal access to quality education for all students, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or geographic location. We are committed to reaching the people in the most vulnerable situations. In particular, boys and girls living in remote areas, those from ethnic minorities, and people living with disabilities.
  • Learning: Attending school is not enough. Children need to have access to quality teaching and learning. They need to leave school with the relevant knowledge and skills that will enable them to work, lead healthy lives, continue to learn, and be active and responsible citizens
  • Safe and protected young people: Relief International’s education programming restores educational opportunities for displaced children and refugee students by creating safe, protected environments for students to learn. We work with schools, communities, and institutions to strengthen protection mechanisms and systems. We ensure well-being by providing young children with access to safe spaces where they can develop their cognitive, emotional, and social skills.
  • Sustainability: To promote sustainability, Relief International trains educators and tailors curriculum to meet students’ needs. We teach valuable life skills geared towards finding employment, such as computer skills, accounting, and financial literacy.
Ibrahim, 12, and two of his brothers receive $52/month through Relief International’s Cash for Education program. This is the boys second year of receiving the assistance that runs from November to May. The boys are Syrian refugees living in Lebanon’s Bekka Valley. In addition to attending the government school, they attend a homework support group once a week for two hours that is taught by Relief International staff in the informal settlement where the boys live. Elie Gardner/RI
Our Impact in 2023

Where we focus in education

Learn more
26K
total number of Students provided with classes/training
1.3K
teachers and educators trained in fragile settings worldwide
96
number of schools or educational facilities supported or rehabilitated
Ibrahim, 12, and two of his brothers receive $52/month through Relief International’s Cash for Education program. This is the boys second year of receiving the assistance that runs from November to May. The boys are Syrian refugees living in Lebanon’s Bekka Valley. In addition to attending the government school, they attend a homework support group once a week for two hours that is taught by Relief International staff in the informal settlement where the boys live. Elie Gardner/RI

Education in Fragile Settings

Iran

A haven of hope: the role of a Multipurpose Service Centre for refugee women and children in Iran

“I am happy when I’m at the Centre. I make new friends, play with them, and learn to read from my teachers,” says Zahra, one of the children participating in Golestan Centre’s activities.

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Jordan

Creating Safe Spaces in Azraq Camp, Jordan

Al Batoul supports young women living in Azraq camp, Jordan, by leading psychosocial support sessions at an RI education center in the

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Jordan

Educating a Generation of Syrian Refugees in Jordan

The conflict in Syria has affected an entire generation of students.

75 million children are in need of immediate educational support.

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Jordan

Going Back To School To Find New Opportunities

After fleeing Syria to Jordan, Omar dropped out of school to make money for his family.

With RI’s support, Omar returned to his education, finishing high school and taking part in vocational training program that led him to a new career.

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Iran

One refugee, a tablet, and a new way to learn from home during COVID-19

Ali Hosseini was in the 11th grade when the COVID-19 pandemic forced his school in Iran to close as a means to protect students from the virus. Now, Ali is able to stay on top of his studies at home after receiving a tablet device provided by Relief International.

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Jordan

Early Moments: The Youngest Syrian Refugees Learn Through Play

Building blocks and children’s books are scattered across the center’s colorful mat floors, and peals of laughter echo throughout the room. This space looks like any other daycare, but it’s not. This one is special. It provides a glimmer of hope in the lives of the youngest Syrian refugees.

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Jordan

The Changemakers of Azraq Camp

In Jordan’s Azraq refugee camp, Syrian teachers and fellow refugees Shadi Zahed and Muteeb Hamdan are making their students’ dreams of higher education a reality.

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Jordan

“Wherever life takes me, I will use my education to get there”

Relief International is one of the leading providers of education inside Jordan’s Za’atari and Azraq refugee camps. Our signature project is a year-long prep course for the Tawjihi, the final exam students are required to take to graduate from high school.

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Pakistan

Closing the Education Gap for Refugee Children in Pakistan

Relief International’s education program in Pakistan works to improve Afghan refugees’ equitable access and enrollment in primary education in Pakistani government schools, with a particular emphasis on girls and vulnerable families.

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Jordan

“We educate women because it changes the world”

Although the United Nations reports a decline in early marriages globally, many young Syrian girls still end up married before their 18th birthday. But Iman’s story shows that education is providing an alternative option.

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Iran

A haven of hope: the role of a Multipurpose Service Centre for refugee women and children in Iran

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Jordan

Creating Safe Spaces in Azraq Camp, Jordan

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Jordan

Educating a Generation of Syrian Refugees in Jordan

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Jordan

Going Back To School To Find New Opportunities

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Iran

One refugee, a tablet, and a new way to learn from home during COVID-19

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Jordan

Early Moments: The Youngest Syrian Refugees Learn Through Play

Jordan. Elie Gardner/RI

Jordan

The Changemakers of Azraq Camp

Jordan. Elie Gardner/RI

Jordan

“Wherever life takes me, I will use my education to get there”

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Pakistan

Closing the Education Gap for Refugee Children in Pakistan

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Jordan

“We educate women because it changes the world”

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Omar-Jordan-Education-3.png
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Jordan. Elie Gardner/RI
Jordan. Elie Gardner/RI
pakistan-story-230819-i.jpg
20190409-ri-jor-zaatari3-huda-5930-scaled.jpg
Golestan-Centre-5.jpg

A haven of hope: the role of a Multipurpose Service Centre for refugee women and children in Iran

Al-Batoul-1-Jordan-Education.jpg

Creating Safe Spaces in Azraq Camp, Jordan

Jordan-Education-video.png

Educating a Generation of Syrian Refugees in Jordan

Omar-Jordan-Education-3.png

Going Back To School To Find New Opportunities

hero-irantablets-covid19-12242020.jpg

One refugee, a tablet, and a new way to learn from home during COVID-19

jordan-earlymoments-hero-02072020-1.jpg

Early Moments: The Youngest Syrian Refugees Learn Through Play

Jordan. Elie Gardner/RI

The Changemakers of Azraq Camp

Jordan. Elie Gardner/RI

“Wherever life takes me, I will use my education to get there”

pakistan-story-230819-i.jpg

Closing the Education Gap for Refugee Children in Pakistan

20190409-ri-jor-zaatari3-huda-5930-scaled.jpg

“We educate women because it changes the world”

From our staff

Through Relief International's education programs, children are offered a source of stability and structure, helping them to regain childhoods that are too often lost to violence, conflict, or disaster.

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Ellie Gardner/RI

Get in touch

For more information on Relief International’s work in education, please contact [email protected].