For a child who has endured the trauma of war and violence, taking a seat in a safe classroom is an important first step to regaining a sense of normalcy and routine. That's why opening and equipping schools with learning materials and supplies — including desks — is one of UNHCR’s key objectives in any refugee situation.

At their desks, refugee students learn how to read and write, discover the wonders of science and math and delve into languages. It’s where they reclaim their childhood and start to dream again.

High school-aged refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo at their desks in Rwanda’s UNHCR-supported Kiziba refugee camp. Worldwide, 84 percent of teenagers go to high school, but only 23 percent of their refugee peers do.

Syrian refugee students learning at their desks at a school in Egypt. Thanks to donor support, UNHCR and host governments have been able to enroll more children who have escaped the war in Syria.

Rohingya refugee Yasmin, 10, sits at her desk during class in Bangladesh’s Kutupalong refugee camp. With donor support, more refugee children like Yasmin can learn and grow in classrooms fully equipped with desks and learning materials.

We promise to honor your generosity and use your donation in the most effective way possible to help refugees. The catalog items shown reflect periodic surveys of the countries UNHCR operates in and represent both the need and price of critical aid items. Although each item is representative of the gift category in which it appears, donations will be used to provide assistance where it is needed most.