Sudan education crisis: US$22 million investment announced for 200,000 children

Education Cannot Wait (ECW) has announced a US$22 million multi-year investment to restore education for nearly 200,000 crisis-affected children and adolescents in Sudan. The three-year programme will focus on West Darfur, South Kordofan, and Gedaref, regions heavily impacted by over three years of armed conflict and displacement.

Since the conflict began in April 2023, approximately 14 million people have been displaced, and 33.7 million people require humanitarian assistance. Roughly 8 million children—nearly half of Sudan’s school-age population—remain out of school, with some having missed nearly 500 days of learning.

The initiative will provide formal and non-formal education, mental health and psychosocial support, teacher training, and learning materials. The programme aims to reach displaced children, refugees, and vulnerable communities, with a target of at least 60 per cent being girls and 10 per cent including children with disabilities. Approximately US$5 million is allocated for rapid responses to emerging emergencies and climate-related shocks.

Implementation will be carried out by Save the Children, Plan International, LM International, and Sudanese organizations Alsalam Organisation for Relief and Development and Sadagaat. Nearly 48 per cent of the budget is designated for national and local partners.