Education Cannot Wait Allocates $3.5 Million for Bangladesh's Rohingya Children

Education Cannot Wait (ECW), alongside its strategic donor partners, has revealed a significant funding initiative amounting to $3.5 million aimed at addressing the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh. The urgent First Emergency Response funding will facilitate educational access for 180,000 children currently residing in one of the world’s largest refugee camps located in Cox's Bazar.

The aim of this new financial aid is to provide a lifeline to children affected by the crisis, restoring their right to education amidst the turmoil that has defined their young lives. This funding build upon ECW’s previous investments, totaling $50.7 million, which have already served over 386,000 children, primarily Rohingya refugees. Approximately 96% of these children belong to the Rohingya community, reflecting the pressing need for educational resources in response to this humanitarian crisis.

Over the years, these investments have successfully facilitated the construction and rehabilitation of 2,300 classrooms, while also providing financial assistance to 2,700 educators. Significant training in diverse areas such as disaster-risk reduction, gender issues, mental health support, and psychosocial aid has been delivered to those working directly with children caught in this bleak situation.

UNICEF is leading the way in partnership with various local organizations, including the Community Development Centre (CODEC), the Jagorani Chakra Foundation (JCF), BRAC, Mukti Cox's Bazar, Friendship, and the COAST Foundation. This new funding will significantly better inclusive educational offerings within safe and secure learning environments. According to Rana Flowers, a representative of UNICEF in Bangladesh, "Every child has the right to education, irrespective of the crisis at hand." She further emphasized that the support from ECW extends beyond mere access to textbooks and lessons, serving as a bridge to dignity, stability, and a brighter future for the children ultimately defining their communities’ humanity.

Rana Flowers pointed out the reflective gap between the rising needs of Rohingya children and the decreasing humanitarian aid resources, including funding specifically allocated for education. As of June 2025, over 3,600 educational institutions for children in preschool through fourth grade remain shuttered, thereby limiting opportunities for countless young learners. Recent analyses showcase that only half of the joint response plan addressing these educational needs has been executed, revealing a worrying trend that could jeopardize the stability of these fragile educational gains.

These challenges highlight the urgency for ongoing support, creating an adequate response to ensure that affected children continue to receive quality education amidst their struggles. ECW’s commitment extends beyond immediate responses, seeking to integrate swift aid efforts with long-term strategies that influence better outcomes for the communities involved.

The organization implores both public and private donors to heighten their contributions, maximizing the reach to even more vulnerable children caught in urgent situations.

As ECW continues to forge ahead, its multifaceted approach emphasizes the importance of quality education amidst crises, ensuring no child is left behind. Each investment made today lays the groundwork for a generation that will redefine their future, reaffirming education’s role as a crucial remedy in building resilience against adversity.

Follow ECW on social platforms such as Twitter at @EduCannotWait for more updates on initiatives and how you can engage in supporting educational programs for displaced children across the globe.