A coalition from the Danish public and private sectors has partnered with UNICEF and the Government of Ethiopia to support the education and wellbeing of refugee and internally displaced children in the Benishangul-Gumuz region.
Multiple humanitarian crises, including climate-induced droughts and floods, disease outbreaks and conflict are driving mass internal displacement in the region, as well as an influx of refugees from neighbouring countries. The daily lives of both internally displaced and refugee children have been heavily disrupted, with many dropping out of school and being exposed to harmful practices. As of November 2024, 14 percent of school-age children in Benishangul-Gumuz were not enrolled in class.
“During my visits to the African continent, I have met determined young people with great hopes for the future. For these hopes to materialize, better access to quality education is crucial. This is why Denmark works together with the LEGO Foundation and Grundfos Foundation to improve the education of children and young people in Ethiopia. We will focus on girls’ enrolment and retention, so they do not get left behind. We will also support the Government of Ethiopia in its commendable efforts to improve the inclusion of refugees in the education system, so they can contribute to the sustainable development of the country alongside the host communities,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
Zerfe Mengistu (10) aspires to be a doctor when she grows up. She is currently living at Azerti Kitili camp for internally displaced people in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State. Photo: © UNICEF – Nahom Tesfaye
It is estimated that children affected by crisis may acquire foundational skills six times slower compared to those who are not affected by emergencies due to forced displacement, trauma and other factors. The LEGO Foundation will support learning through play and provide mental health and psychosocial support within education and community settings to increase emotional well-being and access to learning opportunities.
“Emergencies can have lifelong implications for children’s development, social-emotional wellbeing, and mental health. Once the basic needs are met, we know that play can help children in crisis situations deal with stress and traumatic experiences. Through this partnership, we hope to contribute to improving the situation for children in Benishangul-Gumuz by offering opportunities to experience the benefits of learning through play to better cope and grow,” said Chief Executive Officer of the LEGO Foundation, Sidsel Marie Kristensen.
Water as education enabler
In a crisis, access to water, sanitation and hygiene services and interventions in schools enables quality, safe and positive learning environments for children. The Grundfos Foundation will support climate-sensitive water, sanitation and hygiene facilities and interventions in Benishangul-Gumuz, where 40 percent of internally displaced people and refugee camps lack access to clean water and basic sanitation.
The Government of Ethiopia has committed to include refugees in the national education system, but refugees continue to face challenges in access, quality, and protection. The refugee-hosting regions have limited capacity to absorb refugee children into their public education system because of the persisting low technical and financial capacities coupled with infrastructural problems to accommodate refugees.
Zemenay Getu Early Childhood teacher with children in Azerti Kitili IDP in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State. Photo: © UNICEF – Nahom Tesfaye
“A lethal combination of conflict, climate shocks and disease are creating a learning crisis in Ethiopia that is increasing the risks for children and preventing them from reaching their full potential. By combining the strength of public and private partners, together we will tackle the multiple barriers children are facing to access quality education,” said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Kitty van der Heijden.
The partners selected the Benishangul-Gumuz region for the collaboration as it faces several overlapping socioeconomic problems, with children and women most affected. The protracted ethnic conflict in the Benishangul-Gumuz region has had a profound impact on the psychosocial well-being and economic situation of the affected populations. Addressing the immediate psychosocial needs of those affected, including the school community consisting of teachers and learners, is crucial for their survival.
The partnership
- UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
- The vision of the Government of Denmark and its development cooperation is to contribute to a more secure and sustainable world free from poverty, based on international binding cooperation as well as just and resilient societies that fight inequality and create hope and future opportunities for the individual. Denmark is committed to contributing 0.7% of its gross national income (GNI) as official development assistance (ODA), with a focus on the African continent, addressing the nexus between climate change and development, and taking measures to ensure that no one is left behind.
- The LEGO Foundation aims to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow; a mission that it shares with the LEGO Group. The LEGO Foundation is dedicated to building a future where learning through play empowers children to become creative, engaged, lifelong learners. Its work is about re-defining play and re-imagining learning. In collaboration with partners the LEGO Foundation aims to equip, inspire and activate champions for play.
- The Grundfos Foundation has set out to provide access to water in refugee settings always with sustainability and anchoring in mind, as an enabler of broader sustainable development. Grundfos’ founder, Poul Due Jensen, created the Foundation on 19 May 1975