Burundi

Burundi suffers from a cycle of chronic crises resulting in successive periods of violence. A 2015 political crisis caused mass displacement internally and to neighbouring countries. Many Burundians are now returning to their homes, where they face socio-economic challenges. Additionally, the country is affected by recurring climate-induced disasters that further compound vulnerabilities. Flooding, torrential rains, landslides and high winds have led to the destruction of infrastructure, fuelling widespread food insecurity and causing public health emergencies.

The combination of these challenges, along with COVID-19, has left millions of Burundians with strained resources for essential services, including education, and in dire need of humanitarian support. Displaced children struggle to return to the classroom, exposing them to risks of child labour and exploitation, early marriage, gender-based violence and other violations of their human rights. For the children enrolled in schools, the limited resources, damaged and destroyed classrooms and increased demand for education has weakened the quality of education.

To address the needs of children and adolescents in Burundi, ECW launched a Multi-Year Resilience Programme (MYRP). The Fund supports partners in improving the quality of education through educator training and remedial courses; increasing school resilience to prepare for future crises; promoting safe school environments at all levels; and strengthening the educational infrastructure to create protective, inclusive, holistic learning environments.