Education in Emergencies: How UNESCO Helped After Floods and Earthquakes
Introduction: When the Ground Shakes, So Do Classrooms
In Pakistan, education is often the first casualty of natural disasters. Whether it’s a flood submerging schools or an earthquake collapsing classrooms, children’s learning is suddenly paused — sometimes for months, or even years.
But education can’t wait for recovery. That’s why UNESCO plays a crucial role in keeping learning alive during emergencies — by setting up temporary schools, training teachers, and ensuring that no child is left behind, even in crisis.
🌊 When Floods Hit, UNESCO Responds
The 2022 floods were the worst in Pakistan’s recent history. Over 30,000 schools were damaged or destroyed, leaving millions of children without access to learning.
UNESCO immediately stepped in with:
- Temporary Learning Centers (TLCs) in tents or makeshift structures
- Distribution of school-in-a-box kits, textbooks, and stationery
- Training for teachers on trauma-informed education and flexible teaching
- Support for child-friendly spaces where education and psychosocial care could go hand in hand
“In a flood, children lose everything — homes, books, and safety. A temporary school can give them hope again.”
— UNESCO Field Coordinator, Sindh
🏚️ When Earthquakes Strike, Learning Shouldn’t Stop
After the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and subsequent shocks in Balochistan and KP, UNESCO helped:
- Rebuild earthquake-resistant school buildings
- Train local engineers and school authorities in safe construction practices
- Promote “Build Back Better” principles in education infrastructure
- Develop emergency curriculum modules so learning could resume even before schools were rebuilt
💻 Digital Education: Learning Beyond the Classroom
COVID-19 and natural disasters revealed how fragile traditional schooling can be. UNESCO supported digital and distance learning solutions that now also serve children in disaster-prone areas:
- Support for TV and radio-based education in Urdu and regional languages
- Launch of offline learning materials for areas without internet
- Partnership with local NGOs to train teachers in mobile-based education tools
Especially during floods when access roads are cut off, digital tools became lifelines for students and teachers alike.
🧭 Curriculum Continuity and Student Retention
A major risk during emergencies is that students — especially girls — drop out permanently.
To address this, UNESCO has worked with education departments to:
- Condense and adapt curriculums for faster recovery
- Provide catch-up learning modules and remedial classes
- Introduce life skills and disaster education into school programs
- Develop non-formal education pathways for children who missed extended periods of school
🧒 Special Focus: The Most Vulnerable First
UNESCO’s emergency education response always prioritizes:
- Girls at risk of dropping out due to domestic pressure or early marriage
- Children with disabilities, ensuring physical accessibility and inclusive content
- Internally displaced children, especially in camps or informal shelters
By working with community teachers, local NGOs, and parents, UNESCO ensures learning environments are safe, inclusive, and trauma-sensitive.
🌍 Where This Work Is Happening
UNESCO has active emergency education programs in:
- Sindh (Dadu, Jacobabad, Khairpur) — post-2022 floods
- KP and Northern Pakistan — earthquake-affected zones
- Balochistan — remote districts hit by floods, droughts, and quakes
These regions often combine natural disaster vulnerability with chronic education inequality, making UNESCO’s presence even more vital.
📊 Results (2005–2024)
- Over 250,000 children supported with emergency education in disaster zones
- 3,000+ temporary learning spaces established
- 12,000+ teachers trained in emergency response and flexible curriculum delivery
- Education continuity protocols adopted by Pakistan’s Ministry of Education with UNESCO support
🧾 Final Thoughts: When Education Continues, So Does Hope
Natural disasters destroy buildings, but they don’t have to destroy futures. Through UNESCO’s tireless efforts, children in Pakistan’s hardest-hit areas have been able to return to learning — and to dreaming.
“Even if the classroom is just a tent, it’s still a place where futures begin.”
