Sudan war: $22 million education boost to help 200,000 children

The three Sudanese states receiving support are West Darfur, South Kordofan and Gedaref, where the aim is to restore “safe, quality and inclusive education”, amid the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crisis.

Maysa Jalbout, Director of Education Cannot Wait, insisted that education remains one of the most powerful tools in the humanitarian toolbox to protect millions of children and support recovery. 

“This investment is about much more than reopening classrooms. It is about supporting children to regain a sense of safety and normalcy while strengthening education systems that can continue serving communities through crisis and into recovery.”

A humanitarian emergency

Since conflict erupted in April 2023 between the country’s rival militaries, 14 million people have been forced to flee their homes and 33.7 million people now require humanitarian assistance. 

Announcing the multi-year investment initiative, Education Cannot Wait said that at least eight million children – nearly half of Sudan’s 17 million school-age children – are still out of school. 

“Across the country, large numbers of schools remain non-operational, while millions of children have endured prolonged disruptions to their education, with some missing nearly 500 days of learning,” the organization stressed.

The three-year programme will reach those left furthest behind in the country – including internally displaced children, refugees and vulnerable host communities, with at least 60 per cent girls and 10 per cent children with disabilities. 

The initiative will establish safe learning environments, provide mental health and psychosocial support, strengthen teacher capacity, improve access to learning materials and address barriers facing girls and children with disabilities. 

Implementation will be led by Save the Children, in partnership with Plan International, Lakarmissionen International (LM International), and local partners Alsalam Organisation for Relief and Development (AORD) and Sadagaat. 

In its mid-year update on Sudan, the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said that 81 per cent of schools in Darfur remain closed, 70 per cent of children there are not attending school, and 5.8 per cent of schools are being used as shelters. It also says schools have come under direct attack this year.

Worldwide needs

According to Education Cannot Wait, 258 million school-aged children and teens in crisis are affected by disrupted learning worldwide. Of these, 93 million are out of school altogether.

A recent report from the UN’s global education fund found that nearly 80 per cent of children unable to go to school because of crises or conflict live in just 20 countries.

Often it is the most marginalized groups that suffer the most exclusion, especially girls, displaced youngsters and children with disabilities.

The Sudan announcement comes as Education Cannot Wait launches the global campaign – Hope Starts Here – to mobilize $600 million to reach 10 million children whose learning continues to be impacted by the world’s most severe crises.