Governments meeting in Geneva on 5 November 2026 pledged US$405.8 million in new funding to Education Cannot Wait, the United Nations global fund for children whose schooling has been disrupted by war, displacement and disaster.

The pledges came at the fund's High-Level Replenishment Conference, hosted by Switzerland. Added to US$135.8 million already secured through earlier multi-year commitments, they bring the fund's "Hope Starts Here" campaign to US$541.6 million, or 90 percent of its US$600 million goal for 2027 to 2030.

"Education is a fundamental human right, even in times of conflict, displacement and disaster," said Sigrid Kaag, Chair of the fund's High-Level Steering Group, in the fund's announcement.

Who stepped forward

Education Cannot Wait named Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, Canada, Switzerland, Ireland, the European Union and Japan among the governments that pledged. Switzerland, the host, committed CHF 35 million for 2027 to 2030. In a speech at the conference, UK International Development Minister Kirsty McNeill announced: "We are committing £80 million to Education Cannot Wait for 2027 to 2030."

"For every child, education is possibility," McNeill said, adding that "every child should have the opportunity to learn, wherever they are and whatever crisis they face."

Ten million children in four years

The money will fund the fund's 2027 to 2030 strategic plan, which aims to reach 10 million children and adolescents. Half of them are to be girls, and one million are to be children with disabilities. Since it was created in 2016, Education Cannot Wait says it has supported more than 16 million children. Infomédiaire also reported on an impact bond linked to keeping education going during crises.

What still needs to be done

The need is enormous. About 258 million school-age children and adolescents live in crisis-affected settings, a figure cited both by the fund and by the UK minister. The campaign still has US$58.4 million left to raise before it reaches its target, and the fund warned in September that education funding was falling for a second year in a row. Pledges also have to be turned into money on the ground, and the hardest part, reaching children in active conflict zones, remains ahead.

Why it matters

For a child forced from home, a classroom can be the one safe, normal place left: somewhere to learn, to be protected and to plan a future. Today's pledges mean millions more children could keep learning through the worst moments of their lives, instead of losing years of school they may never get back.

Learn more

• Education Cannot Wait: Global solidarity delivers major boost to Education Cannot Wait as "Hope Starts Here" campaign approaches its US$600 million goal
• GOV.UK: International Development Minister speech at Education Cannot Wait Replenishment Conference
• Infomédiaire: Education Cannot Wait mobilise 541,6 millions de dollars pour l'éducation (in French)

Sources: Education Cannot Wait, "Global solidarity delivers major boost to Education Cannot Wait as 'Hope Starts Here' campaign approaches its US$600 million goal," 5 November 2026; GOV.UK, "International Development Minister speech at Education Cannot Wait Replenishment Conference," 5 November 2026; Infomédiaire, "Education Cannot Wait mobilise 541,6 millions de dollars pour l'éducation," 5 November 2026.

How you can help

These organisations help children keep learning through conflict and displacement:

• Save the Children runs education programmes in emergencies, setting up safe learning spaces and supporting teachers where crises have closed schools.
• Norwegian Refugee Council provides education for displaced and refugee children and youth, including accelerated learning for those who have missed years of school.
• War Child helps children affected by armed conflict with education and psychosocial support so they can learn and heal.