#Bangladesh #Education Cannot Wait #Cox's Bazar #Rohingya Children

Education Cannot Wait's New Emergency Grant in Bangladesh

On November 11, 2025, the initiative known as Education Cannot Wait (ECW), along with its strategic donor partners, announced a significant donation of $3.5 million aimed at addressing the escalating Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh. The funds will provide crucial educational opportunities for approximately 180,000 children, restoring their access to vital learning opportunities in Cox's Bazar, home to the world's largest refugee camp.

The latest funding builds on ECW's previous investments totaling $50.7 million in Bangladesh, which has already assisted over 386,000 children, predominantly Rohingya refugees, who represent 96% of the impacted population. So far, these investments have facilitated the construction or renovation of 2,300 classrooms and provided financial support to 2,700 educators. Additionally, teachers and administrators working on the frontline have received essential training on various topics, including disaster-risk reduction, gender awareness, mental health, and psychosocial support, which are critical in crisis situations.

The new grant, awarded by UNICEF in collaboration with local organizations such as the Community Development Center (CODEC), Jagorani Chakra Foundation (JCF), BRAC, Mukti Cox's Bazar, Friendship, and COAST Foundation, strives to enhance inclusive learning opportunities in safe and protective environments.

Rana Flowers, the UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh, emphasized the importance of this support, stating, "Every child deserves the chance to learn, no matter the crisis. This support from Education Cannot Wait is crucial. It's not just about books and lessons; it's the bridge that allows children to attain the dignity, stability, and future they rightfully deserve." She further noted that the grant will help equip Rohingya children with the skills, confidence, and hope necessary for rebuilding their communities once it is safe for them to return home. The future of the Rohingya people—their culture, identity, and voice—relies on the education of these children today.

However, the situation remains dire, as a reduction in humanitarian aid, including educational funding, poses a threat to the hard-won progress in Bangladesh. By June 2025, over 3,600 educational centers, ranging from early childhood to fourth-grade levels, remained closed. A recent analysis indicates that, to date, only half of the Joint Response Plan has been implemented.

About Education Cannot Wait (ECW)

Founded as a global fund dedicated to education in emergencies and protracted crises, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) is a United Nations initiative that champions quality education for refugee and internally displaced children, as well as others affected by crises. The organization works through the multilateral system to expedite crisis responses and connect immediate assistance with long-term interventions via multi-year programs. ECW collaborates closely with governments, public and private donors, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and other humanitarian and development actors to enhance efficiency and address fragmented responses.

ECW is calling for urgent support from both public and private sector donors to expand assistance and reach more vulnerable children and youth.

For continuous updates, follow @EduCannotWait, @YasmineSherif1, and @KentPage on X/Twitter for real-time information. Further details can be found on their official website www.educationcannotwait.org.