Futures on the Line: Yemen’s children missing an education

The humanitarian situation in Yemen has deteriorated month on month since the current armed conflict escalated in March 2015. Today 21.2 million people (or 82% of the population) are in need of humanitarian assistance, including nearly 10 million children who are experiencing unprecedented levels of suffering.

At least 1,600 schools remain damaged, occupied or closed. Today 560,000 children remain out of school as a consequence of the conflict, adding to the 1.6 million school age children who already lacked access to education prior to the conflict.

Even where schools have reopened, insecurity has contributed to a situation where fewer girls are attending classes, exacerbating the gender education gap that pre-existed the conflict. Those boys and girls who are at school often receive poor quality education, aggravated by the current crisis, due to a combination of overcrowded classrooms, shortages of qualified teachers, and lack of basic equipment including desks, chairs and text books. Evidence highlights the importance of education for children’s development and well-being at a time when they are at their most vulnerable. Quality education can contribute to saving lives during humanitarian crises and protect children from the increased risks of violence, abuse and exploitation. However, to do this, schools must be safe and funding committed to education.