Quito, Ecuador, 30 July 2025 — The International Rescue Committee (IRC), with support from the European Union’s Humanitarian Aid Directorate, has officially launched the Education in Emergencies project in Ecuador with the creation of the Integrated Network of Safe and Protective Schools ((Red Integrada de Escuelas Seguras y Protectoras, RIESP, in Spanish). This initiative aims to safeguard the right to education for children and adolescents in crisis-affected contexts and is expected to reach over 8,000 people by August 2026, including students, teachers, families, and key institutional actors.
In a region where millions of children face interruptions in their education due to violence, forced displacement, and social exclusion, RIESP offers an urgent and transformative response.
“Schools provide a sanctuary for children, offering a safe environment away from the violence and insecurity that plagues their daily lives. This is especially important for displaced children, who face heightened risks due to the surge in violence,” says Maria VARGAS-SIMOJOKI, EU Aid expert for Education in Emergencies projects throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
This project comes at a critical time. In Ecuador’s coastal provinces of El Oro and Esmeraldas, rising violence and insecurity have significantly impacted the lives of communities. Schools, traditionally seen as safe spaces, now face growing risks due to the presence of armed groups and dynamics of violence that create fear and hinder school attendance. Added to this are factors such as poverty and lack of opportunities, which increase the vulnerability of children and adolescents and challenge their ability to remain in the education system. In this context, ensuring education in emergencies has become a vital tool to provide safe spaces, promote overall well-being, and strengthen community resilience. RIESP offers a response to these challenges, grounded in local coordination and long-term vision.
Implemented under the leadership of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), in partnership with local organizations—Centro de Desarrollo y Autogestión (DyA), Fundación Alas de Colibrí (ACF), and Educación para Compartir (EpC)—the initiative integrates education and protection through flexible learning strategies, psychosocial support, and protection risk prevention. These actions are carried out in close coordination with schools, families, educators, and both local and national authorities.
The project aligns with global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—especially SDG 4 on quality education and SDG 5 on gender equality—guiding inclusive, relevant, and high-quality education responses in humanitarian settings.
"With RIESP, we aim to ensure that schools are not only places of learning, but also safe spaces that offer emotional support, protection, and hope in the face of adversity. Thanks to the support of the European Union, we are advancing toward a more resilient and transformative education system in Ecuador," said Nicole Kast, IRC Country Director for Ecuador and Peru.
Building a national network for education in emergencies
A key component of RIESP is the creation of a national coordination network connecting schools, public institutions, civil society, and strategic partners. This network aims to become a permanent space for coordination and technical assistance, enhancing Ecuador’s capacity to provide a strong educational response in emergencies and to ensure continuity of learning for vulnerable children and youth.
RIESP is part of a broader regional partnership between the IRC and the European Union, which since 2022 has delivered integrated protection, health, cash assistance, and reliable information services to more than 120,000 people across Latin America, including in Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, and Venezuela.
The International Rescue Committee partners with the European Union to provide life-saving support to people caught in conflict and disasters around the world. Our work funded by the EU enables people to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.