Girls’ education

Total procurement for education: $71 million

Education supplies represent UNICEF’s second-largest procurement expense, and over the past three years, the figure has risen significantly. This growth is due in part to emergency responses and special ‘Back to School’ projects in post-emergency countries. The increase also reflects the organization’s special focus on girls’ education in 25 countries.

UNICEF is committed to assisting in re-opening schools and establishing teaching and recreational facilities in the first six to eight weeks after an emergency – whether a natural disaster or conflict. In the longer term, educational rehabilitation programmes can span several years and include intense supply procurement and distribution activity.

The school-in-a-box and recreation kits have become part of UNICEF’s standard response in an emergency. In some countries, the kits are adapted to respond better to local needs and context. During 2004, Supply Division procured enough standard school-in-a-box kits (including replenishment kits) to send 1.5 million children back to school. In addition, six million primary-aged children in Iraq received educational supplies and kits purchased and packed by Supply Division. This was UNICEF’s largest educational project ever.

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