“The children and adolescents of Somalia have suffered far too long. Yet, they have so much to give – provided they are empowered with a quality education. We will not allow Somalia to be another ‘forgotten crises.’” - ECW Director Yasmine Sherif.
For over 25 years, Somalia has faced persistent conflict, insecurity, and climate change-related crises, severely impacting the lives and lifelong trajectories of the nation’s children.
In response to the ongoing situation, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and its partners have announced a new US$17.1 million grant to improve education in Somalia.
According to the news release on May 9, 2025, the fund is meant to provide over 43,000 children with safe, quality education opportunities.
Total ECW funding in Somalia now tops US$64.2 million.
The humanitarian needs far outpace the resources available in Somalia and other forgotten crises worldwide.
Somalia’s Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025 remains severely underfunded, according to OCHA’s Financing Tracking Service.
Before the new tranche of ECW funding, only 29% of the overall US$68.6 million humanitarian appeal for education was funded.
“More than half of Somalia’s school-aged children – 4.5 million – are out of school today. ECW is a pooled funding mechanism advancing joint programming. Our additional financial investment will thus enable all our partners in Somalia to jointly deliver continued quality education,” said ECW’s Director Yasmine Sherif.
The United Kingdom is ECW’s second-largest donor, with US$277 million in total contributions to date.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) leads the donor group in Somalia and was instrumental in developing the expanded programme.
“The UK is committed to working with the Federal Government of Somalia and partners like Education Cannot Wait for a more secure and stable future for all Somali children,” said British Ambassador to Somalia Mike Nithavrianakis.
“Today’s programme launch is unique because it provides predictable, long-term funding for some of the most vulnerable, crisis-affected children in Somalia. It will also support the Federal Government of Somalia’s efforts to strengthen the education system. Educating children is the best way to ensure a better future for Somalia, which is why we’re proud to partner with Education Cannot Wait.”
The programme builds on ECW’s US$47.1 million in total investments in Somalia, which have already reached more than 300,000 children and adolescents with a quality education.
The programme will be delivered by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in coordination with the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Consortium partners include Save the Children, Concern Worldwide, and the Formal Education Network for Private Schools (FENPS).
” The partnership with Education Cannot Wait represents a vital commitment to expanding educational access for children affected by the crisis. Through this collaboration, we reaffirm our dedication to providing safe and inclusive learning environments to empower the next generation with the skills needed to thrive,” said Farah Sheikh Abdulakdir, Minister of Education, Federal Republic of Somalia.
Political, social, and economic instability, compounded by climate change-induced disasters, has led to widespread displacement and limited access to essential services, including education, in Somalia.
Progress is being made, but it is uneven. Seven out of ten Somalis still live below the poverty line.
The number of people requiring humanitarian assistance in Somalia peaked in 2023 at 8.25 million. That number is projected to decrease to approximately 6 million in 2025.
Nevertheless, protracted conflict, political and economic instability, climate change, and other social and cultural barriers have created wide and systemic fragility in Somalia’s education system.
The new programme will be delivered in six locations within the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Programme interventions focus on ensuring access to safe and protective learning environments for vulnerable children.
The program will also touch on refugees, returnees, and other at-risk groups, such as those with disabilities.
It also seeks to improve holistic learning outcomes such as basic numeracy, literacy, and social-emotional learning, and strengthen the resilience of the education system.
Note to Editors
About Education Cannot Wait (ECW):
Education Cannot Wait (ECW) is the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises in the United Nations.
It supports quality education outcomes for refugees, internally displaced, and other crisis-affected girls and boys, so no one is left behind.
ECW works in close partnership with governments, public and private donors, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and other humanitarian and development aid actors to increase efficiencies and end siloed responses.
