Living on hope, hoping for education: The failed response to the Syrian refugee crisis

The crisis in Syria has entered its fourth year. Children have been on the front-line from the outset. They have experienced or witnessed horrific acts of indiscriminate
violence. Many have been killed or injured. Millions have been forced from their homes and have faced the traumas of war and displacement. Opportunities for health care, nutrition and education have been destroyed on an epic scale (UNICEF, 2013a). Donors have recognised the urgency of the challenge posed by the crisis in Syria. High profile gatherings have produced repeated pledges of support and commitments. ‘Unless we reach these children now,’ declared the No Lost Generation
strategy adopted in 2013, ‘the hopes of an entire generation could be lost forever’ (NLG, 2014). Unfortunately, donor action has not matched the urgency
implied by such declarations.

 
This paper looks at the education crisis among Syrian refugees. It is divided into two parts:
The first provides a brief regional overview.
The second focuses on Lebanon, which hosts the largest Syrian refugee population.