A humanitarian crisis is defined as any circumstance where humanitarian needs are sufficiently large and complex to require significant external assistance and resources, and where a multi-sectoral response is needed,  An emergency is a situation that threatens the lives and well-being of large numbers of a population and requires extraordinary action to ensure their survival, care and protection.

Understanding the different barriers to education and how they are experienced by female and male learners is central to creating appropriate, effective responses Education in Emergency (EiE) programming can be protective, providing lifesaving and life-sustaining psychosocial, physical, and cognitive support. But it must recognize and respond to the specific needs of different groups of girls, boys, women, and men. When good quality education is available to all and sensitive to conflict and gender factors, it has the potential to be transformative by breaking cycles of conflict and violence, redefining gender norms, and promoting tolerance and reconciliation. The social upheaval experienced during crises presents a key entry point to promote gender equality, which can be instrumental in building resilience and strengthening the humanitarian-development peace nexus.