Education in Emergencies:Financing Trends,Challenges and Future Solutions.

Kwaku BREFO-TUFFOUR

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The study aimed at piecing together secondary data to help examine trends in funding, main contextual factors influencing the trends, challenges, and future solutions towards sustainable financing of education in emergencies (EiE). Analyzing the financing patterns for EiE showed that humanitarian assistance to education has risen in absolute terms, but has not kept up with the rising educational needs of people affected by crises. The main contextual factors identified include the continued view of education as a long-term development issue, humanitarian and development divide, and the lack of evidence and research to show the added value that can ensure adequate donor funding. The financing challenges affecting the implementation of EiE interventions include insufficient funding, delays in funding, short-term funding, and fragmented funding mechanisms. The global financing situation of EiE depends on bilateral and multilateral donor policies and practices, but very few donors have a specific policy framework for financing EiE. Based on the findings, the study concludes that the Global Education Cluster and the UN agencies need to set an agenda for action to increase funding, as well as the efficiency of existing financing mechanisms. Although adequate funding plays a major role in ensuring quality education for crisis-affected children and young people, the broader picture should focus on how EiE can be efficiently coordinated and implemented.

Abstract:

The study aimed at piecing together secondary data to help examine trends in funding, main contextual factors influencing the trends, challenges, and future solutions towards sustainable financing of education in emergencies (EiE). Analyzing the financing patterns for EiE showed that humanitarian assistance to education has risen in absolute terms, but has not kept up with the rising educational needs of people affected by crises. The main contextual factors identified include the continued view of education as a long-term development issue, humanitarian and development divide, and the lack of evidence and research to show the added value that can ensure adequate donor funding. The financing challenges affecting the implementation of EiE interventions include insufficient funding, delays in funding, short-term funding, and fragmented funding mechanisms. The global financing situation of EiE depends on bilateral and multilateral donor policies and practices, but very few donors have a specific policy framework for financing EiE. Based on the findings, the study concludes that the Global Education Cluster and the UN agencies need to set an agenda for action to increase funding, as well as the efficiency of existing financing mechanisms. Although adequate funding plays a major role in ensuring quality education for crisis-affected children and young people, the broader picture should focus on how EiE can be efficiently coordinated and implemented.

Keywords

financing, crisis-affected situations, education in emergencies, humanitarian aid

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 8. 6. 2020

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Mgr. Jan Říkovský

Palacký University Olomouc

Faculty of Science

Master programme / field:
Geography / International Development Studies