Education Cannot Wait Announces $17.1M to Support Child Education in Somalia

GOOBJOOG NEWS| NEW YORK: Education Cannot Wait (ECW) an arm of the UN focused on education has announced an additional $17.7 million to support the education of close to ahalf a million children in Somalia.

ECW said in a statement that the funding will reach over 43,000 children with safe, quality education opportunities in Somalia. This brings the total ECW funding in Somalia to now US$64.2 million.

“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,’” said ECW’s Director Yasmine Sherif.

Sherif noted that 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. Clearly, education is the best investment to empower crisis-affected communities to take the reins, steer their own destiny and end dependency on aid.”

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.

British Ambassador to Somalia Mike Nithavrianakis affirmed his country’s commitment to supporting education in Somalia. “The UK is absolutely 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 Nithavrianakis,

He added, “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. Education gives children normality, protection and hope. 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.”