Globally, many families are preparing for the start of a new academic year, with children and young people currently starting or returning to education. However, in countries and regions around the world impacted by emergencies and crises, millions do not have access to education and safe learning environments. In this podcast episode, Soso Bagashvili and Efren Lubuguin from the HLA’s Asia Regional Centre speak to Ka Man Parkinson about the education in emergencies (EiE) context from their vantage point in Asia. In 2023 across the Asia-Pacific region, what are the main barriers that children and young people face in terms of accessing education in the region – and what interventions can help to overcome such challenges? And in the face of such a complex and challenging regional context across the world’s largest continent, how can agencies coordinate a suitable and sustainable EiE response? Soso and Efren share their perspectives and explain how – by working in partnership with Education Cluster partners and national/local organisations – they’ve been able to work in an agile and responsive way to design and implement EiE interventions localised to the Asia regional context. They also share their upcoming plans and aspirations for EiE capacity strengthening in the region. About the podcast speakers Soso Bagashvili is Regional Head of Capacity Strengthening and Partnerships, Asia at the Humanitarian Leadership Academy.  Soso is based in Tbilisi, Georgia. Efren Lubuguin is Regional Professional Development Programme Manager EiE, Asia at the Humanitarian Leadership Academy.  Efren is based in Manila. Philippines. Hosted and produced by Ka Man Parkinson, Communications and Marketing Advisor at the Humanitarian Leadership Academy. Ka Man is based in Manchester, UK.