|
Sphere-INEE Companionship makes the case for education as part of humanitarian response |
|
|
|
Thursday, 24 September 2009 |
A ‘Companionship Agreement’ was signed in October 2008 between the INEE and Sphere secretariats, to promote the use of the INEE Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies, Chronic Crises and Early Reconstruction (INEE Minimum Standards) and the Sphere Project Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere Handbook) as ‘Companion Standards’. The agreement represents an important partnership to support the provision of quality, equitable and relevant education in acute emergencies through to development.
 | Credit: Arzu Ozsoy / International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies
During the Kashmir earthquake, Pakistan and India,
October 8 2005, the Turkish Red Crescent tent school
and psycho-social activities helped the little ones to
recover faster and continue with their education.
|
Effective use of the two handbooks side by side supports coordination between the Sphere sectors (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion; Food Security, Nutrition and Food Aid, Shelter, Settlement and Non-Food Items; Health Services) and education, including integrated proposal design and a more comprehensive approach. For example, increased school attendance by girls has resulted from improved school sanitation facilities. In providing safe space for learning and socialization, education can also give refugee girls psychosocial protection and support. In addition to supporting children’s social and intellectual development, education programs can provide physical protection from the dangers of a crisis environment. It can save lives by protecting against exploitation and harm.
Key to improving the provision of education in emergency contexts is commitment from host governments and donors. Many donors still do not fund emergency education, and the ‘companionship’ between INEE and Sphere should help make the case for education as part of humanitarian response. Funding for the delivery of other services through schools, or for ‘risk reduction’, has been made available, particularly at national or regional levels. The potential provided by such examples should be exploited. Host governments are often wary of standards coming from outside. The inclusion of emergencies in national education plans in disaster prone countries, is a key advocacy and policy target. To these ends, better engagement with donor and host governments, including awareness-raising and training on Sphere and INEE, is essential. Children and young people can be the best advocates for changes in government policy.
A paper "Integrating Quality Education within Emergency Response: The Sphere-INEE Companionship" has been prepared jointly by the Sphere and INEE secretariats to describe the history and implications of the ‘Companionship Agreement’ signed in October 2008 between INEE and the Sphere Project.
To read the paper, please download it from our website.
Views: 4284
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. |
Comment this article