Building peace in the minds of men and women

Crisis Preparedness and Response

UNESCO responds to the needs of crisis-affected countries in the fields of education, the sciences, culture and communication, in close coordination within the overall United Nations system-wide response.

UNESCO addresses the human and institutional dimensions of crisis preparedness, relief, recovery and reconstruction. By supporting access to quality education, protecting cultural heritage at risk, and promoting freedom of expression and information, UNESCO lays the foundations for sustainable recovery and long-term development.

Contributing to humanitarian response, UNESCO provides direct support to help communities in coping with the immediate impact of crisis on their daily lives. UNESCO ensures access to fundamental services, such as quality education for children and youth, as well as access, through support to the local media, to life-saving information.  

With its unique mandate to protect cultural heritage in times of conflict, UNESCO promotes and undertakes mitigating measures to prevent and address damage and destruction; as well as looting and illicit trafficking of cultural property

UNESCO also enables country-driven recovery and longer-term development. Through technical assistance and advisory services to local and national authorities and civil society, support is provided for damage and needs assessment, as well as capacity development of affected institutions and professionals.

UNESCO believes in the positive contribution of education, culture, communication and the sciences to peace. It supports these dimensions in dialogue, reconciliation and peace-building programmes and initiatives.