Back to School: Education Can’t Wait After Disaster

Education is often overlooked in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, leaving children out of school for months, years, or sometimes indefinitely. At AH&H, we work together with communities to bring children back to safe schools where they can learn, play and heal. With their children supported at school, parents have the freedom to rebuild their homes, go back to work, and move forward with their community.

Schools are an essential component of disaster recovery. Restoring access to education is necessary because it:
-Helps children heal from trauma by restoring daily routines and providing a sense of normalcy.
-Keeps children safe from risks like exploitation, trafficking, and child labor.
-Promotes equality and inclusion, ensuring all children can continue learning.
-Creates hubs for health, nutrition and holistic preparedness programs.
-Provides emergency shelter in times of future crises.
-Supports parents by giving them the time and space to rebuild their homes, livelihoods and communities.
-Gives every child the chance to learn, grow and dream again.

Beyond rebuilding schools, we also strengthen the entire community’s resilience to future crises. Every disaster relief program is context-specific and immersed in the unique needs of each local region.