Education support to reach nearly 200,000 children in conflict-hit Sudan

Nearly 200,000 children and adolescents affected by Sudan’s ongoing conflict are set to benefit from a new three-year education investment aimed at helping them return to safe and inclusive learning.

The US$22 million investment by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) will support children in West Darfur, South Kordofan and Gedaref, where conflict and displacement have severely disrupted access to education.

The programme will establish formal and non-formal learning spaces, provide mental health and psychosocial support, strengthen teachers’ capacity and improve access to learning materials.

At least 60 percent of beneficiaries will be girls, while 10 percent will be children with disabilities.

“Education in Sudan has been interrupted by conflict, displacement and unimaginable hardship. Yet it remains one of the most powerful tools we have to protect millions of children, restore hope and support recovery,” said Maysa Jalbout, Director of Education Cannot Wait.

Since fighting began in April 2023, about 14 million people have been displaced, while an estimated 8 million children remain out of school.

The programme will be led by Save the Children in partnership with Plan International, LM International and Sudanese organisations Alsalam Organisation for Relief and Development and Sadagaat. Nearly 48 percent of the budget will go to national and local partners.

The investment forms part of a larger US$39 million programme, with partners expected to mobilise additional funding as needs grow.

It comes shortly after ECW launched Hope Starts Here, a global campaign seeking US$600 million to reach 10 million children living through severe crises over the next four years.