Education Cannot Wait Announces US$5 Million First Emergency Response Grant in Chad, Calls for Expanded Support for Sudan Regional Refugee Crisis

With millions of people fleeing the brutal conflict, hunger and atrocities in Sudan, the education system in the neighboring state of Chad is reaching the breaking point. Since April 2023, over 629,000 refugees have entered the country, along with over 200,000 Chadian returnees.

In response to the growing regional crisis, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and its strategic partners announced today a US$5 million First Emergency Response grant that will reach over 70,000 refugee and host community children in Chad with the safety and opportunity that only a quality education can provide.

The 2024 Sudan Emergency: Regional Refugee Response Plan for Chad is only 23% funded. As of 12 August, education partners had secured only 15% of the US$51.2 million needed to support interventions this year.

“Some 144,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in Chad from Sudan in 2024 alone. The Government of Chad graciously welcomes refugee students into the national education system and works tirelessly with UNHCR and the Jesuit Refugee Service, as well as their partners, to deliver a quality education that also addresses the enormous need for mental health and psychosocial service, teacher training, school feeding and academic learning. With our increased support, we stand firm by our shared commitment at the Global Refugee Forum: not to leave refugees, nor their host-communities behind,” said Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait, the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises in the United Nations.

With escalating violence and a looming famine, the war in Sudan is creating ripple effects across the region. The situation in Chad is critical. About 144,000 refugees have arrived in 2024 alone, with some projections indicating as many as a quarter million could arrive by the end of the year. In new settlements, there are as many as 370 students per classroom. Many of the children have also lived through the severe trauma of displacement, war and hunger, and require urgent mental health and psychosocial support.

The 12-month grant will be delivered by UNHCR and Jesuit Refugee Service in the Eastern Chad regions of Ouaddaï, Sila, Wadi-Fira and Ennedi Est. Delivered in coordination with the Government of Chad and local partners, the investment builds on ECW’s US$41 million in existing investments in Chad, which have already reached close to 900,000 children, including 150,000 internally displaced children and 230,000 refugees.

"With regard to education in emergencies, particularly due to the massive influx of Sudanese refugees in the eastern part of the country, vulnerabilities are significantly increasing. With support from our technical and financial partners, the Government — especially with the announcement of new First Emergency Response funding from Education Cannot Wait — will assist those affected by the crisis. Furthermore, the Ministry would like to once again express its gratitude to the donors who continue to support the Government’s efforts to provide education in emergencies in Chad, particularly in response to the crisis in the east,” said Mr. Mamadou Gana Boukar, Chad’s Minister of National Education and Civic Promotion.

The investment has a strong focus on girls and children with disabilities, and will work to improve access to inclusive education, improve the quality of the learning environment, and strengthen the national education system and local community educational initiatives.