Education in Darfur: A critical component of humanitarian response

Children in Darfur face many challenges in receiving an education: too few teachers, overcrowded classrooms and limited or no supplies, among others. Youth face even more difficult barriers: secondary schools do not exist in the internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, leaving young people in the camps with nothing to do and little hope for the future. The ever-worsening security situation in Darfur only makes matters worse. In addition, the crisis, which is nearly four years old, is still viewed by the international community as an “emergency,” which means that funding for education is not seen as a priority. This report outlines findings on education from missions taken by the Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children in November 2005 and June 2006, and recommends actions the international community can take to ensure that the children and young people of Darfur have a chance to learn while displaced from their homes and communities.