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Support for Families Affected by Crisis

Uniting programs around the world to deliver early learning and nurturing care to young children and caregivers affected by crisis.

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  • Support for Families Affected by Crisis

“Welcome” is more than a greeting. It’s the sense of belonging, security, and hope that too many children affected by crises around the world are denied.

More than 450 million children live in areas currently affected by violent conflict, and 47 million children around the world have been forcibly displaced. Many have lost homes and loved ones and endured experiences that can create devastating long-term effects on their learning and well-being. But children are remarkably resilient, and we know that if they have access to quality early childhood development (ECD) support, they can overcome adversity and build a brighter future.

Our Welcome Sesame initiative unites programs around the world with a shared goal of delivering early learning and nurturing care to young children and caregivers affected by crisis — reaching children in the narrow window when it’s most important. Together with our partners, we are also shining a spotlight on the need for increased prioritization and investment in ECD in humanitarian response globally.

Through strategic advocacy and research, we are bringing visibility to the needs of children and caregivers affected by crisis and generating evidence on what interventions best meet those needs. By sharing what we learn, we will empower others to adapt, scale, and build upon these lessons and transform how the world supports children in crisis contexts, wherever they may be.

Learn More About This Initiative

Click on the sections below to learn more about where we work, our content, research findings, and our advocacy on behalf of children and families.

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Our Work with Families Affected by Crisis​

Educational media that introduces children to characters and stories that reflect their own lives and experiences.

A boy riding a bike with a muppet in the middle east.

Learning Resources for Families Affected by Crisis

Support to improve foundational skills, health, safety, and relationships.

Basma with a group of children.

Advocating for Young Children Affected by Crisis

Harnessing the power of a trusted brand to promote support for early childhood development in crisis response globally.

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Using Data and Evidence to Improve our Reach, Quality, and Impact

8 Years

The first few years of life are the most important for healthy human development. This is when a child’s brain develops faster than at any other time, laying the foundation for lifelong learning, health, and productivity.

More than 450 Million children worldwide live in areas affected by conflict.

47 million children have been forcibly displaced from their homes.

2%

Humanitarian Aid

Goes toward early childhood development.

References

  • UNICEF, “Learning through Play: Strengthening learning through play in early childhood education programmes,” 2018. https://www.unicef.org/sites/default/files/2018-12/UNICEF-Lego-Foundation-Learning-through-Play.pdf  
  • Peace Research Institute Oslo, “Children Affected by Armed Conflict, 1990-2019,” 2020. https://reliefweb.int/sites/files/resources/ChildrenAffectedbyArmedConflict
  • Harvard Center on the Developing Child, “In Brief: The Science of Early Childhood Development,” 2007. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/inbrief-science-of-ecd/
  • UNHCR, “Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2020,” 2021. https://www.unhcr.org/flagship-reports/globaltrends/
  • Moving Minds Alliance, “ECD and Early Learning for Children in Crisis and Conflict,” 2018. https://movingmindsalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/ecd-and-early-learning-for-children-in-crisis-and-conflict.pdf
  • National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, “The Science of Early Childhood Development,” 2007. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Science_Early_Childhood_Development.pdf
  • Moving Minds Alliance, “Analysis of international aid levels for early childhood services in crisis contexts,” 2020. https://movingmindsalliance.org/ wp-content/uploads/2020/12/analysis-of-international-aid-levels-for-early-childhood-services-in-crisis

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