Over 122 million people globally are currently forcibly displaced due to conflict, violence, persecution, and other crises, among them approximately 50 million children and young people. 38% of displaced children do not attend primary school and a staggering 78% do not attend secondary school.
One in five people living in fragile and conflict-affected settings experiences a mild to severe mental health condition. Children and youth in humanitarian crises face even higher levels of psychosocial distress due to exposure to violence, displacement, loss, and prolonged disruption to their education and daily lives.
Exacerbated by previous trauma, displaced children and youth are particularly vulnerable to experiencing high levels of stress when encountering a new crisis. This can affect their capacities to learn, thrive, and achieve their full potential.
For this reason, psychosocial support (PSS) is a core pillar of NRC’s Global Education Strategy (2025-2030), delivered primarily through the Better Learning Programme (BLP). BLP is a multi-faceted approach that mobilises educators and caregivers to improve children and youth’s wellbeing.
