With financial support from the Japan-World Bank Program for Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management in Developing Countries program, GFDRR's Safer Schools Thematic Area provides technical assistance to World Bank task teams through in-country activities to design and implement safer schools programs in developing countries, including recovery and reconstruction in post-disaster conditions.
Highlighted Projects
Brazil
Brazil In the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Para, schools are increasingly threatened by floods, wildfires, extreme heat, and water scarcity, all intensified by climate change. The World Bank, with support from the Japan-World Bank Program, is turning these challenges into opportunities for resilience. By integrating risk reduction and climate adaptation into school infrastructure, the initiative aims to protect education for 170,000 students. This project not only strengthens school facilities but also empowers communities, including local indigenous groups, ensuring a sustainable and inclusive educational future.
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Mato Grosso Resilient, Inclusive, and Sustainable Learning Project
Pakistan
The devastating floods of 2022 in Pakistan underscored the urgent need for resilient school infrastructure, affecting millions and worsening poverty. The World Bank, through GFDRR, is addressing these challenges by enhancing provincial governments' capacity to develop long-term strategies for safer, resilient, and functional school environments. Targeting hazards like floods, earthquakes, and extreme heat, the initiative aims to keep schools open and safe for over 17 million students across Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab. By fostering climate-resilient designs and policies, the project aims to esnure a sustainable educational future for Pakistan's youth.
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Human Capital Investment Project
Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Punjab
Balochistan Human Capital Investment Project
Sindh Early Learning Enhancement through Classroom Transformation
Tajikistan
Tajikistan's vulnerability to floods, mudflows, and earthquakes poses significant challenges, impacting rural livelihoods and national food security. The World Bank, supported by the Japan-World Bank program, seeks to enhance school resilience against these natural disasters and climate change. The project will develop a National Framework for Learning Environments, modernizing infrastructure to ensure safe, inclusive, and climate-smart schools. It targets capacity-building for government officials and directly benefits 45,000 students in 90 schools. Nationwide, 2,195,600 students in 3,940 schools will benefit from improved policies and environments.
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Learning Environment – Foundation of Quality Education in Tajikistan
Ukraine
Ukraine is dealing with severe infrastructure challenges due to ongoing conflict, which exacerbates vulnerabilities to natural hazards like floods and wildfires. The World Bank and GFDRR are supporting efforts to reconstruct school facilities, focusing on enhancing resilience and in line with European standards. With 13% of educational infrastructure damaged, the initiative prioritizes creating safer learning environments, including bomb shelters. The primary beneficiaries are students from 2,845 damaged and 328 destroyed schools, totaling around 5 million nationwide. Ensuring access to safe, high-quality education to these children will contribute to a brighter future for a generation of Ukrainians.
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Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine