Education Cannot Wait Announces $2 Million Grant for Flood-Affected Children in Pakistan

Education Cannot Wait Announces $2 Million Emergency Grant for Affected Children in Pakistan

Education Cannot Wait (ECW) has pledged a significant sum of $2 million through its First Emergency Response initiative. This grant aims to address the urgent educational needs of children impacted by devastating monsoon floods in Pakistan. This funding is essential as assessments reveal that over 367,000 school-aged children currently lack access to education in the flood-affected regions, with damage reported in more than 1,800 schools.

Launching its initiative in collaboration with local organizations, ECW’s grant will be distributed by the Rural Support Programs Network (RSPN) alongside partner organizations, including the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA), and PAGE Foundation. These combined efforts will reach an estimated 34,483 students, ensuring that both girls and boys from vulnerable backgrounds receive the necessary support to continue their education in a safe and inclusive environment.

Bashir Anjum, the Operations Director of RSPN, expressed pride in partnering with ECW and the Pakistani government. He emphasized the importance of providing high-quality education to every child affected by the floods, particularly internally displaced persons (IDPs) and children with disabilities. He stated, “Through this collaboration, we aim to help communities rebuild resilient educational systems, restore hope, and support children in returning to learning in a safe, stimulating environment. Together, we transform dreams into opportunities and education into lasting hope for the most vulnerable.”

The initiative will also ensure the reconstruction of damaged schools, establishment of temporary learning spaces, provision of inclusive and gender-sensitive educational materials, restoration of water and sanitation facilities, and implementation of protective measures for the safety of students and staff. These essential interventions align with Pakistan’s humanitarian response plan and complement the ongoing ECW pilot project titled Anticipatory Action, which involves preparedness measures set up prior to the floods.

Education Cannot Wait is a global fund dedicated to education in emergencies and protracted crises within the UN system. We advocate for quality education for refugees, internally displaced persons, and other crisis-affected girls and boys so that no one is left behind. ECW operates through a multilateral system to accelerate crisis responses and link immediate assistance with longer-term interventions via multi-year joint programming.

In light of the critical situation, ECW urgently appeals to public and private donors, emphasizing the necessity for expanded support to reach even more vulnerable children and adolescents. The fund represents a beacon of hope, ensuring that education remains accessible even in the direst of circumstances. As the situation evolves, continuous support and commitment from the global community will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the education of these children.

For more updates, follow ECW on social media at Twitter: @EduCannotWait and LinkedIn: Education Cannot Wait. More details are available on their official website, www.educationcannotwait.org.