Education Cannot Wait (ECW) announced today US$5 million in new funding for the education in emergencies response in war-torn Sudan.

ECW is the United Nations' global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises.

In a press release extended to Radio Tamazuj, ECW urged donors, the private sector and philanthropic foundations to quickly mobilize more funding for Sudan.

The 12-month grant, ECW said, will be delivered by Save the Children and UNICEF, and will reach 86,000 vulnerable school-aged girls and boys in West Darfur and White Nile, with a focus on those who are affected by the conflict.

According to the organization, the grant focuses on improving access to quality, inclusive, gender-sensitive and child-friendly education.

It added the support will contribute to achieving improved learning outcomes through support to learning centres, ensuring teachers have the training, tools and incentives to do their jobs – and providing life-saving access to holistic education support to ensure the protection and well-being of children.

ECW, however, said a large funding gap persists, with recent estimates indicating at least US$40 million will be required to scale up life-saving education in emergencies response in Sudan.

In response to the regional crisis, ECW Executive Director Yasmine Sherif led high-level UN missions to the border areas in both Chad and South Sudan to assess the situation, with the Fund also announcing new investments in the Central African Republic, Chad and South Sudan in recent months.  

“Children have been killed, have lost family members, have had to flee their homes in the most challenging circumstances and have seen their education abruptly interrupted. This conflict is breaking down basic social services in Sudan - with school-age children and their teachers paying the highest prices. With access to life-saving education opportunities, we can protect girls and boys against the scourge of violence, child marriage, forced recruitment into armed groups, exploitation and abuse. ECW brings hope to children in devastating situations: education is the best investment we can make in providing children with both protection and a sense of normalcy within a devastating crisis. However, it requires all of us to be generous in funding current and new opportunities to withstand the shocks of the conflict,” Sherif said.

With clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continuing into their fourth month, the situation is dire. Recent estimates indicate that the conflict has fuelled the displacement of more than 2.6 million people within Sudan, and forced an additional 855,000 people – including refugees, asylum seekers and returnees – to flee to neighbouring countries.