Defending the Future: Safeguarding Early Childhood Education in Crisis and Conflict Zones

In times of conflict and crisis, classrooms have become battlefields, depriving millions of children around the world of their right to learn, play, and grow.

In the complex landscape of emergency and humanitarian response, prioritizing early childhood education is imperative. This imperative extends beyond the education sector and is connected to broader humanitarian frameworks that address the holistic needs of vulnerable populations, particularly for children in such settings. It is essential for all sectors, from health to shelter and camp management, to ensure that the youngest are not neglected in emergencies.

Significant evidence shows that education plays a critical protective role as a core element of early development for children living in crisis and conflict settings. However, the stark reality is that early childhood education is not typically considered a key priority for children. In fact, in times of crisis, these services are often the first to be stripped away. This must change.

As we commemorate yet another International Day to Protect Education from Attack, the urgency of our mission could not be clearer. By embedding early childhood education into every facet of humanitarian action, we can ensure that children not only survive but thrive – laying the foundation for their resilience, recovery, and long-term development.

Amidst the darkness of war and conflict, there are beacons of hope—beacons that we, at UNICEF and Moving Minds Alliance are determined to nurture and protect.

In Gaza, where over 87 per cent of all school buildings have been damaged or destroyed, UNICEF has established early childhood education centers that serve as sanctuaries for the youngest children, offering more than just a place to learn—they are lifelines. Through these temporary learning spaces and shelters, UNICEF offers holistic ECE services, which integrate mental health and essential psychological support, fostering a sense of normalcy and hope amidst the chaos; nutrition; alongside early learning.  By prioritizing early childhood education in our emergency response, UNICEF ensures that education is not just an afterthought. It offers hope and essential support for the survival and development of Gaza’s youngest children, even in the most challenging circumstances.

In Ukraine, the conflict has left schools in ruins and futures hanging by a thread. UNICEF has established 20 early childhood education centers to address the severe disruption of early education caused by the ongoing conflict. These centers offer structured classes twice a week for children aged 2 to 7, helping them catch up on missed education. In Mykolaiv alone, around 7,000 children have been left without preschool education, with only a small fraction of preschools able to operate. The centers are designed to provide both educational and psychological support, addressing the unique challenges faced by these children, such as frequent air raids and the trauma associated with the war.

In addition to these centers, UNICEF has implemented initiatives such as the ‘Sparks of Superpowers’ educational cartoon series, which helps preschoolers develop essential skills through engaging content. Overall, more than 30,000 children across Ukraine are benefiting from UNICEF’s early childhood education interventions. These efforts are supported by international partners, including the European Union and the Government of Japan, and are part of UNICEF’s goal to embed early childhood education services into the heart of our emergency response, providing the tools and support that these young minds need to navigate the instability around them.

In South Sudan, where the scars of war run deep, UNICEF’s early childhood education and development services have reached approximately 1.7 million children and caregivers through educational and supportive activities. Through integrated ECE services, structured learning and psychosocial support is helping young learners build the resilience they need to overcome their trauma. The impact is profound — children who participate in these programs are not only better prepared for school and learning, but they are also emotionally stronger.

There are also local actors implementing culturally adaptive and effective ECE programmed; these includes IACT’s Little Ripples ECE Programme delivered by refugees in Chad and the Child to Child ECE programme implemented by LABE in Uganda for children and families who have been forcibly displaced. Evaluation of both programmes has generated evidence of their positive contribution to improved early learning outcomes as well as enhanced socioemotional resilience. The Global Schools Forum  evidence hub for early childhood education and development in emergencies (ECEDiE), is codifying practitioner-focused resources to strengthen ECED service delivery in protracted refugee contexts.

This International Day to Protect Education from Attack, we must intensify efforts to protect these safe spaces for learning and secure the future of millions of children who are caught in the crossfire of conflict.

We must integrate early childhood education into every emergency response, protect these safe spaces for learning, and invest in the future by prioritizing the youngest among us. To achieve this goal, we ask funders, including bilateral and multilateral donors, to invest at least 10% of their international funds in education in emergencies. We call on governments, international organizations, and every stakeholder to join us in this critical mission.

In the heart of every crisis, lies the opportunity to rewrite the future. Together, we can create a world where every child, no matter the circumstances, can learn, grow, and thrive.

Authors: Divya Lata (Education Specialist, UNICEF), Helena Murseli (Senior Education Advisor, UNICEF), Tricia Young, Executive Director, Moving Minds Alliance