FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 23, 2016

THE GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FOR EDUCATION-US APPLAUDS THE LAUNCH OF THE EDUCATION CANNOT WAIT FUND FOR EDUCATION IN EMERGENCIES:  The platform will ensure education is a part of humanitarian responses

Washington, D.C.---Today, the Global Campaign for Education-US stands in solidarity and appreciation with the newly created Education Cannot Wait fund for education in emergencies. Launched at the first ever World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey, the fund was created to fill a massive gap in humanitarian funding—ensuring the full continuum of the right to education.

In a recent blog on Huffington Post, GCE-US Executive Director Jennifer Rigg made the case for the education in emergencies fund:

“The vital right to education is just a dream for 75 million children impacted by emergencies and crises. Across our global community, we cannot wait any longer and must act to reach all children with quality education,” said Rigg. “More than 10 million people have signed a petition urging world leaders to ensure all children can go to school, without danger or discrimination. The recent Call to Action shows the support of over 60 leading organizations for the Education Cannot Wait fund. We must bring new and immediate financing to deliver education alongside protection and other essential humanitarian and development aid.”

The fund garnered commitments from the private sector and countries—the United Kingdom, Norway, the Netherlands and the United States. The USAID Administrator, Gayle Smith, praised the power of education and its impact on livelihoods, well-being, safety, security and economies in her announcement of a U.S. contribution to the fund of $20 million.

“We welcome the strong recognition of the importance of education in humanitarian and development settings by the U.S. government and other donors. The pledging today was just the beginning in the journey to ensure that all children access their right to education regardless of situation or circumstance. We urge world leaders to commit new funds, above existing aid commitments, to jumpstart the Education Cannot Wait Fund and meet the education in emergencies funding gap of $8.5 billion – which is just $113/child per year. We look forward to continuing to work with USAID, our coalition and the Education Cannot Wait Fund to make sure that all children are given the tools to chart their own paths with quality education.” said Rigg.