ECW in Brazil
Millions of Venezuelans have fled the crisis in their home country seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, the largest exodus in the recent history of Latin America. Brazil hosts a large number of Venezuelans. In this mass exodus, vulnerable girls and boys are at high risk of exploitation and abuse. To be protected, these children are in dire need of assistance and reintegration into the formal school system. During 2019–2020, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) supported partners in Brazil to help Venezuelan students access education and strengthen foundational skills. This is part of the Fund’s response to the impacts of the Venezuelan regional crisis, also in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela.

Investments
Financial Information
National Counterparts
Ministry of Education
Programme Info

The number of students and refugees requiring assistance and reintegration into the formal school system has substantially increased since 2015. Specifically, Brazil has tens of thousands of Venezuelan children and adolescents out of school.
The First Emergency Response (FER) in Brazil, which was completed in 2020, was part of the ECW’s response to the impacts of the Venezuela regional crisis. There are also FERs in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. The response focused on improving access to both formal and non-formal education for Venezuelan refugee and migrant children and adolescents.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the programmes prioritised alternative education approaches such as remote learning, remedial education and psychosocial support to ensure the continuity of education.
In Brazil, ECW programming improved access to quality education through the implementation of new learning spaces, the training of teachers and the establishment of protection services.
Programme Components
- Ensuring protection and safety. The programme established protection services at more than a dozen emergency sites and provided services to tens of thousands of students living in settlements and informal shelters.
- Reintegrating students. New learning spaces were implemented and thousands of children from relocated families were supported to increase continuity.
- Training and supporting teachers. Grantees trained thousands of teachers and professionals on carrying out education in an emergency context and working with children from indigenous communities.
For more information on ECW's work in Brazil, please contact Fadela Novak Irons: fnovak@unicef.org