New Grant to Enhance Educational Resilience
Chad, one of the world’s poorest nations, faces immense humanitarian challenges, with over a third of its population requiring urgent assistance. The war in neighbouring Sudan, escalating intercommunal conflicts, and climate change are compounding these crises, resulting in the forced displacement of millions and significantly disrupting educational opportunities for children and adolescents.
In a bold move to address these pressing issues, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) has announced a US$20 million catalytic grant to extend its Multi-Year Resilience Programme (MYRP) in Chad. This initiative aims to support approximately 66,000 crisis-affected children, with over 40% being refugees, ensuring access to quality education in some of the most vulnerable regions of the country.
A Major Investment in Chad’s Future
This latest funding, delivered in partnership with UNICEF, the Government of Chad, and other national and international stakeholders, brings ECW’s total investment in Chad to over US$61 million. To date, these efforts have reached more than 880,000 children, providing them with not only education but also the hope and stability essential for recovery and growth.
The new phase of the MYRP will focus on the provinces of Ouaddaï and Logone Oriental, addressing key challenges such as high school fees, poor-quality education, and limited school access exacerbated by climatic hazards.
Mobilising Global Support
“Chad has shown extraordinary compassion by opening its doors to refugees and integrating them into its national education system,” said Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of ECW. “However, the needs far outweigh the available resources. We must rally public and private sector support to ensure sustainable access to quality learning environments for refugee children and their teachers. This is a vital investment in both refugee protection and global commitments made during the Global Refugee Forum.”
Mr. Mamadou Gana Boukar, Chad’s Minister of National Education and Civic Promotion, praised ECW’s efforts, stating: ”The Multi-Year Resilience Programme is instrumental in tackling the educational challenges faced by Chad. Beyond immediate relief, this programme fosters long-term socio-economic development. We urge continued support to meet the urgent educational needs of our children.”
A Comprehensive Approach to Education
The new grant will enable the training of over 1,500 teachers in conflict and risk reduction, mental health and psychosocial support, and advanced teaching techniques. It will also facilitate civil registration for children, improve pathways for girls and children with disabilities, and support the resilience of Chad’s education system.
UNICEF Chad’s Acting Representative, Dr. Marcel Ouattara, added: “This programme is transformative, ensuring access to inclusive, quality education while strengthening resilience against ongoing crises. Together, we can build a brighter future for Chad’s children.”
Urgent Action Needed
Chad is home to 1.7 million forcibly displaced individuals, including 1.2 million refugees fleeing conflicts in Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Cameroon. Despite these efforts, approximately 3.2 million children remain out of school due to economic, environmental, and systemic challenges.
This catalytic grant from ECW represents a lifeline for vulnerable children, reaffirming the critical need for continued investments in education as a pathway to stability and progress in Chad.
