#Education Cannot Wait #Chad #Sudanese Refugees #Wadi Fira

Education Cannot Wait's New Initiative for Sudanese Refugees in Chad

In a significant move to address the educational needs of Sudanese refugees in Chad, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) announced a noteworthy funding increase of $2 million. This initiative comes as an essential response to the growing refugee crisis triggered by the war in Sudan, which began in April 2023. Over 850,000 individuals have fled to Chad, significantly impacting the local educational infrastructure and raising urgent needs for educational resources and support in the region.

The funds will enhance the First Emergency Response program, which is implemented by UNHCR alongside local partners. This initiative is set to reach an additional 27,000 children currently affected by this multifaceted crisis, raising the total number of children served by ECW to an impressive 97,000. With these efforts, the total funding allocated by ECW in Chad has now surpassed $68 million, impacting over one million children since the organization's inception in 2017.

The funding is particularly targeted at the Wadi Fira and Ennedi East provinces, areas that have seen a surge in refugees and face a shortage of humanitarian agents, exacerbating the unmet educational needs of an increasing population. For years, ECW's contributions have facilitated remarkable advancements, particularly for Sudanese refugee girls, whose enrollment rates now surpass those of boys at all educational levels from preschool to secondary education. Yet, many children remain out of school, highlighting the critical need for sustained support.

Magatte Guisse, a representative from UNHCR, emphasized the importance of ongoing funding from ECW to maintain and expand educational responses for refugees in Chad. The local educational system is under extreme pressure from the influx of more than 150,000 new refugees. With classrooms accommodating over 100 students, and reports indicating that seasonal flooding exacerbated by climate change has damaged or destroyed 125 classrooms in Wadi Fira alone, urgent action is necessary.

Currently, it is estimated that two-thirds of school-aged refugee children in Chad do not attend school. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has not only uprooted lives but has also triggered the world's largest hunger crisis and has led to severe violations against children, including killings and forced recruitment into armed groups. ECW’s expanded funding aims to assist both refugee and host community children by providing inclusive and quality education and holistic services like mental health and psychosocial support.

Despite this significant contribution, the educational response to the Sudan crisis is still faced with a vast funding shortfall. The Regional Refugee Response Plan for Sudan calls for $1.7 billion, of which only 22% has been secured for educational responses. To further bolster the initiative, ECW appeals to private donors and the sector to mobilize urgently needed resources to extend their educational support in Chad.

In summary, the additional $2 million funding from Education Cannot Wait represents a vital step towards enhancing the educational opportunities for thousands of refugee children in Chad, ensuring they have access to quality education in these challenging times. As the situation evolves, continued support from public and private donors remains crucial to creating lasting change for these vulnerable populations. To stay updated and support the cause, follow ECW on social media and visit their website for more information.