Prioritizing Education Response for Internally Displaced Children in Pakistan

by: Madeeha Ansari

Date: September 3, 2014

As of August 2014, there were over 1 million registered Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and unknown numbers of unregistered IDPs living in Pakistan. It was estimated that just over half of those displaced were children.

The disruption in the lives of young people can have a lasting impact, especially in the absence of basic services. Even where immediate relief is provided in terms of food and shelter, education services are rarely prioritized in emergency response. Using a rights-based approach, this brief establishes the rationale for incorporating the provision of relevant age-appropriate schooling into humanitarian efforts, based on the concepts of non-discrimination, best interests and evolving capacities of the child.

Looking at the complex emergency situation in Pakistan, it explores particular vulnerabilities of children in Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps, as well as urban settings. Finally, it puts forward recommendations for structuring an adequate education response.