Education in emergencies: a critical factor in achieving the Millennium Development Goals

Education in emergencies refers to schooling and other structured activities for those whose lives have been thrown into disorder by extreme and difficult circumstances. Education in emergencies work fits squarely within the priorities set out by the Education Section of the Commonwealth, which defines difficult circumstances as those which include conflict, acute poverty, the aftermath of natural disaster, special needs for the disabled, geographic remoteness, and the prevalence of diseases such as TB, malaria and HIV/AIDS. This article argues for a higher priority to be given to education in times of crisis, including funding, and outlines the work of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE). A case study is included describing the priority of education in Sierra Leone for Liberian refugees.