Education in Emergencies: Temporary Learning Spaces

The sound of shelling is a brutal alarm clock for millions of children worldwide, signaling not the start of a new day of learning, but another day of profound uncertainty. In conflict zones, where the very foundations of society are under attack, the education of an entire generation hangs in the balance. Schools are often the first structures to be damaged or commandeered, transforming vibrant classrooms into rubble or military outposts. For the displaced, the concept of a stable learning environment is a distant memory, replaced by the harsh reality of refugee camps or overcrowded temporary shelters. The immediate crisis is survival, but the long-term catastrophe is the loss of education—a loss that threatens to destabilize entire regions for decades to come.

The Context of Displacement and Blockade

The challenge of providing education in emergencies is intrinsically linked to the complex dynamics of modern conflict, particularly in regions suffering from prolonged blockades and mass displacement. When communities are forced to flee their homes, often with only the clothes on their backs, the infrastructure of their former lives—including their schools—is left behind, destroyed, or rendered inaccessible. The deliberate targeting of educational facilities, a tragic hallmark of contemporary warfare, further compounds the issue. Moreover, blockades restrict the entry of essential materials, making the reconstruction of permanent schools impossible. This creates a vacuum where millions of children are left without a safe space to learn, making them acutely vulnerable to exploitation, early marriage, and recruitment by armed groups. Education, in this context, is not a luxury; it is a critical form of protection and a lifeline to a future beyond the conflict.

The Human Element: Layla’s Classroom

In a sprawling camp on the outskirts of the besieged city, a makeshift classroom has been established in a repurposed tent. Here, 10-year-old Layla sits on a plastic mat, her notebook balanced precariously on her knees. Just six months ago, she was a top student in a stone-built school with a library and a science lab. Now, her classroom is defined by canvas walls and the constant, muffled sounds of the camp.

“When the fighting started, I thought I would never hold a pencil again,” Layla recounts, her voice soft but firm. “We ran so fast, and my mother told me, ‘We will find a way for you to learn.’ When Yafa Relief, a leading Gaza Charity, opened this tent, it felt like a promise was kept. The tent is hot, and sometimes the wind blows the dust onto our papers, but our teacher, Ms. Amira, says, ‘This is our university now. We build our future here.’”

Ms. Amira, a former high school history teacher, now volunteers in the temporary learning space. “The children need routine. They need to know that even when the world outside is chaos, this space is safe and predictable,” she explains. “They don’t just learn math and reading; they learn how to be children again. Layla is one of our brightest. She reminds us that we are fighting for more than just survival; we are fighting for the right to dream.”

The Data: Scale of the Crisis

The global scale of the education crisis in emergencies is staggering, underscoring the urgent need for flexible, rapid-response solutions like Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS).

• 224 Million: The number of children and youth worldwide whose education is disrupted by crisis, including conflict, displacement, and natural disasters.
• 1 in 4: The proportion of the world’s school-age children who live in countries affected by conflict or disaster.
• 4 Years: The average length of time a refugee child remains out of school, leading to massive learning gaps.
• 17,000: The estimated number of attacks on schools, students, and educators recorded globally over the past five years.
• $145: The average annual cost to provide basic education for one child in a humanitarian setting, a fraction of the cost of long-term Palestine Aid.

Operational Update: Yafa Relief’s Response

Yafa Relief is on the front lines of this crisis, prioritizing the establishment of Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) as the most effective immediate intervention. Our strategy is focused on rapid deployment, localized procurement, and psychosocial support.

In the last quarter, we successfully established 45 new TLS units across three major displacement zones. These are not just tents; they are structured, secure environments equipped with:

• Durable, Fire-Retardant Structures: Designed to withstand harsh weather and provide a measure of physical safety.
• Context-Appropriate Curricula: Focusing on foundational literacy and numeracy, integrated with essential life skills and peace education.
• Psychosocial First Aid: All volunteer teachers, like Ms. Amira, receive specialized training to help children process trauma and manage stress.
• Logistical Challenges: The primary obstacle remains the procurement and transport of educational kits (notebooks, pens, textbooks) across heavily restricted borders. We rely on complex, multi-stage logistical chains and local partnerships to ensure a steady supply, often facing delays of weeks or months due to bureaucratic and security checkpoints.

Despite these challenges, the impact is undeniable: over 8,000 children are currently attending Yafa Relief TLS units, regaining a sense of normalcy and hope.

A Call to Action: Protect the Future

The children in these emergency zones are not just statistics; they are the future doctors, engineers, and peacebuilders of their nations. Every day a child is out of school is a day the crisis wins. Temporary Learning Spaces are a critical bridge, but they require sustained support to function. We urge the international community and the Best Palestinian Charities and compassionate individuals to recognize that investing in education in emergencies is the most powerful investment in long-term stability and peace.

Do not let the silence of closed classrooms define a generation. Support Yafa Relief’s mission to keep hope alive, one lesson at a time.

You can make a direct impact today by contributing to our Education in Emergencies fund: https://yafarelief.org/donation

When you look for the Best Charity to Donate to Gaza, look for impact, transparency, and direct access. Yafa Relief embodies these values.