Author Archives: Erin Mooney

Of the more than 27 million children estimated to lack access to education in emergency situations, substantial numbers are internally displaced. The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement underscores the necessity that authorities make educational and training facilities available to the internally displaced as soon as conditions permit. However, all too often, this right to education is addressed only once conflicts have subsided. The author believes that far greater attention, priority and efforts need to be devoted to minimizing the disruption to education invariably resulting from displacement while maximizing the potential protection and other critical support that going to school can provide internally displaced children. Barriers that IDPs face in accessing their right to education, and steps to bridge the gaps in education is presented and outlined in this article.