By June 2024, about 122.6 million people had to leave their homes because of conflict, violence, or persecution. That’s an increase of 5.3 million from 2023, showing a 5% rise. The number of displaced people has been going up for more than 10 years, and now 1 in every 67 people is affected, nearly double compared to a decade ago.
Most displaced people, around 87%, live in low- and middle-income countries. The UNHCR estimates that this number has likely grown since June 2024 and will keep climbing if global issues aren’t fixed.
Source: UNHCR Mid-Year Trends 2024
When families flee, education often suffers first. Without books, uniforms, or a safe place to learn, displaced kids fall behind—not just in school, but in life. When survival is the main focus, learning can seem impossible.
At Companies for Good, we’ve seen how a backpack filled with school supplies can bring hope and dignity to kids who have been displaced. Working with Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts shows how businesses can come together and make a meaningful difference in refugee education.
The Transformative Power of Educational Access
What makes a backpack truly special? It’s not just the material or the zippers. For a refugee child, that backpack becomes a symbol of hope, a tool for dignity, and a gateway to a better future.
Access to education can transform the lives of displaced children in many ways:
- Giving kids basic school supplies helps them stay in school and reduces the need for them to work.
- It helps displaced families find more economic stability over time.
- It supports the mental well-being of kids who have been through tough times.
- It encourages community connection and brings people together.
Breaking Down Barriers, Building Up Futures
For refugee children, getting an education is often filled with overwhelming challenges that go far beyond the classroom. Displacement uproots them from familiar environments, leaving them to face barriers like:
- Language Differences – Learning in a new language makes understanding lessons incredibly difficult.
- Lack of Documentation – Many refugee children can’t attend school because they lack official records like birth certificates or transcripts.
- Interrupted Schooling – Months or even years of missed education mean many kids are far behind for their age group.
- Cultural Adjustment – Adapting to unfamiliar customs, school systems, and peer environments can lead to social isolation.
- Limited Access to Supplies – Without basics like notebooks, pens, or backpacks, learning becomes an uphill battle.
Our Work with Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts
Companies for Good teamed up with Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts to show how working together can really help in refugee education. Our program for making toys and backpacks for refugee kids turned a simple donation drive into a powerful community engagement experience.
Here’s how our program made a difference:
- Immediate Help: Each backpack was filled with important school supplies like notebooks, pencils, and other learning tools that refugee kids really needed.
- Emotional Support: Alongside educational tools, hand-made toys provided comfort and joy to traumatised children.
- Community Building: Jumeirah Hotels’ staff and guests participated in creating these items, fostering awareness and empathy across diverse communities.
Scaling Impact Through Partnership
The success of our refugee education work shows what’s possible when people care and take action together. A backpack might seem like a small thing, but for a child without a home, it can mean going back to school, rebuilding their confidence, and dreaming about a better future.
As we grow, we’re continuing to form thoughtful partnerships that prioritise the children often overlooked by mainstream efforts. Because we believe that education should never be a privilege tied to circumstance—but a promise made to every child.
With millions still needing help, change doesn’t always come from big acts. Sometimes it starts with something as simple and impactful as a backpack.
To see how this makes a difference and partnership opportunities, check out Companies for Good.