On February 6, 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck northern and western Syria a few hours after midnight – followed by another during the day – causing widespread damage and thousands of fatalities.

3.7 million children live in the areas of Syria affected by the earthquake. The Syria Earthquake Recovery Needs Assessment (SERNA) estimates that the earthquakes caused the education sector US$277 million in loss and damages, with 2,149 schools impacted and over 96,000 teachers affected by the disruption of education.

GPE in consultation with the education development partners group in Syria took immediate action to mobilize funding to meet the urgent needs of children in affected areas and, one week later, announced a US$3.75 million grant for activities including setting up temporary learning spaces, cleaning and repairing damaged schools, delivering school meals and providing psychosocial support.

In addition, $1.87 million was reprogrammed from the existing $25 million funding to support earthquake education response.

With Save the Children and UNICEF as co-grant agents, partners worked together to get children back to school as quickly as possible. In the aftermath of such tragic events, school is essential as it gives children a sense of safety and normalcy.

Going to school can also protect them from the risk of harm or exploitation, provide them with a safe space to play, and give them access to counselling and other vital services.

One week after the earthquake, 13-year-old Abdallah resumed learning at an informal education center in Lattakia that provides help to children with disabilities. This is not the first time his education has been disrupted: he and his family were displaced from Aleppo 10 years ago due to conflict.

Abdallah is preparing for grade 9 exams. The informal education center supports children through two years of classes to prepare them to sit the national exams.

The earthquake caused serious cracks in the building where the center was located. With GPE funds, it reopened in another location to make sure children are not missing out on their education.

During the earthquake response, by the end of March 2023, GPE and partners supported over 130,000 children to access formal or non-formal education, including early learning, self-learning and remedial classes.

GPE funding for the earthquake emergency response is in addition to the $25 million in GPE grants implemented by UNICEF and Save the Children, supporting learning for 95,000 at-risk children across the country.

Children in Syria continue to face one of the most complex humanitarian situations in the world. A worsening economic crisis, continued localized hostilities after more than a decade of grinding conflict, mass displacement and devastated public infrastructure have left two-thirds of the population in need of assistance. Food insecurity, unreliable water sources, safety concerns, and levels of school dropouts are acute.

While not a partner country, Syria has received funding with exceptional approval by the GPE Board. GPE will continue to harness the power of partnership to help ensure the children of Syria get the education they need.