Education is not just a fundamental right – it is a powerful tool for change. During conflict, it protects children from harm, offers them hope for a better future, and is one of the strongest interventions against child marriage and recruitment into armed groups.
Strengthening education in emergency situations in Sahel
‘I wish with all my heart for peace in our country so that more girls can go back to school and early marriages can be reduced. No more wars!’ exclaims 13-year-old Adiaratou.
A determined girl from Mali, Adiaratou is a shining example of how education can transform lives. She is one of millions of children in the Central Sahel countries - Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso - caught in a multi-faceted crisis driven by climate change, armed attacks, and mass displacement.
Thanks to humanitarian support from the European Union (EU), Save the Children has helped more than 100,000 children like Adiaratou with education, protection, and psychosocial support through a programme entitled PRESU SAHEL aimed at strengthening education in emergency situations in Sahel.
For 2 years, Adiaratou received training to help make up for the lessons she missed during the unrest. The impact has been immense. Adiaratou is now one of the best in her class. She receives praise from her teachers, which gives her confidence and hope for the future. She dreams of becoming a teacher to educate the children in her village. Adiaratou's parents are proud of her progress and are actively involved in her schooling. She is exempt from household chores so that she can concentrate on her homework.
‘Children's right to education must be preserved at all costs - I never had that chance myself’, explains Adiaratou’s mother.
A beacon of hope
Children are bearing the brunt of the humanitarian crisis and the widespread school closures, which are having devastating impact on their lives and futures. Many have witnessed horrific incidents and were forced to flee their homes, deprived of their basic rights, including protection and education.
This is why the EU decided to fund this 4-year programme, integrating education, child protection, mental health and psychosocial support in emergency response. It is difficult for education alone to have a positive and long-lasting impact if a child has gone through traumatic events or lacks a safe environment.
‘We try to see the situation from each child's perspective, a 360-degree view, addressing their different needs simultaneously, enabling them to thrive and learn despite the difficult circumstances’, explains Jakob Eilsøe Mikkelsen, head of Save the Children Denmark’s work in Africa.
Rapid response makes a world of difference
A key component of the strategy is RIRE, which is an acronym for Integrated Rapid Response for Children but also means “to laugh” in French. RIRE ensures that children aged 4 to 17 can safely return to learning within 3 months of a sudden crisis.
This innovative approach prioritises quick school reintegration for displaced children, helping them regain stability and a sense of normalcy. Trained community facilitators use play-based learning activities to boost children’s emotional development and foundational skills, while child protection specialists address their safety and well-being. Mobile teams also provide psychological first aid to both children and caregivers.
In 2023-2024, 10,901 children benefited from RIRE. 73% of children going through RIRE are successfully transitioning to other types of education after a 3-month intervention.
Localisation is the pathway to success
The magnitude of the crisis and its impact require actions that are adapted to the ever-changing context which varies from region to region across Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Yet available education services have been inadequate for the context or entirely inaccessible through any formal or non-formal alternative.
With this programme we are demonstrating that moving capacity, resources, and ownership to national and local actors results in more timely, appropriate, and effective outcomes for children and their communities.
Without the close collaboration with local partners, we would not have been able to support these hard-to-reach children and parents with the efficiency and impact of, for example, mobile teams.
The localisation approach helps create a lasting impact and can prevent an entire generation from being lost to the severe crisis gripping the Central Sahel today.
