UN fund announces “strong results,” giving children in crisis the chance to receive a high-quality education

Source: AUN News

Findings So Far

According to the Report, since starting to operate in 2017, ECW investments have reached nearly 7 million kids and teenagers, 48.4% of whom are girls. Additionally, 50% of the children ECW’s contributions have impacted are girls, and 43% are internally or externally displaced children.

48.9% of the 3.7 million pupils that ECW reached last year in 32 crisis-affected nations were female. Through the COVID-19 intervention programs of the fund, an extra 11.8 million kids were born. With the addition of these programs, COVID-19 initiatives are now supporting 31.2 million children and adolescents, of whom 52% are girls.

“ECW’s solid outcomes in our first five years of operation are proof that we can change the tide and empower the most marginalized girls and boys in crises with the hope, protection, and opportunity of great education,” said Yasmine Sherif, director of the fund.

A record-breaking $388.6 million in resources were mobilized by ECW last year. Thus, the ECW Trust Fund has received almost $1.1 billion in total contributions.

Action Points

The report’s findings were made public in the aftermath of devastating new projections given by ECW in June 2022, which showed that 222 million students worldwide urgently need assistance with their education. This comprises 78.2 million people who are not in school and 119.6 million enrolled but do not meet academic reading and math standards. Who are enrolled

Gordon Brown, the UN Special Envoy for Global Education, remarked, “While progress is being made, we still have a long way to go.

In February 2023, Geneva will host the “High-Level Financing Conference for Education Cannot Wait.” Through the 222 Million Dreams initiative, it will be co-hosted by Germany, Niger, Norway, South Sudan, Switzerland, and Education Cannot Wait. The Conference will urge people and organizations in the public and commercial sectors to significantly increase their financial support for ECW.

To help the children left behind in crises realize their aspirations, Ms. Sherif urged “governments, businesses, and philanthropic players” to make significant financial contributions to ECW.

Major Trends

According to the research, conflict, forced relocation, natural calamities brought on by climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic’s additive effect have all contributed to increased education emergencies. Funding appeals increased from $1.4 billion in 2020 to $2.9 billion in 2021. While education grants in 2021 totaled a record $645 million, the budget gap increased by 17%. The expanding budget gap represents an unsettling trend in resource limitations.

Analysis by: Advocacy Unified Network