On World Humanitarian Day, GCE-US honors the humanitarian workers and local partners who continue to support children and families in some of the world’s most challenging crisis settings. Their efforts remind us that education is not a secondary response to emergencies. It is a lifesaving intervention that offers safety, hope, and a path forward for children whose lives have been disrupted by conflict, displacement, and other crises.
Today, the need for education in emergencies has never been greater. Education Cannot Wait’s 2026 global estimates show that 258 million crisis-affected children and adolescents across 87 countries have their education disrupted, including 93 million who are completely out of school. At a time when educational exclusion is deepening and humanitarian needs continue to grow, sustained investments in education are essential to help children learn, heal, and build resilient futures.
“On World Humanitarian Day, we recognize that education is one of the most powerful investments the global community can make for children affected by conflict and crisis,” said Giulia McPherson, Executive Director of GCE-US.
When children have access to safe, quality learning opportunities, they gain not only knowledge, but also protection, stability, and hope for the future. The United States has long been a global leader in supporting education around the world, and continued U.S. engagement is vital at a time when millions of children are being denied their right to learn.
GCE-US is closely awaiting the release of the Senate’s FY27 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill and urges Congress to demonstrate continued leadership in advancing global education. We support robust funding of $970 million for international basic education, including $30.4 million for Education Cannot Wait, the global fund dedicated to education in emergencies and protracted crises.
At a moment of unprecedented need, Congress has an opportunity to reaffirm U.S. leadership and help ensure that children living through conflict, displacement, and crisis are not left behind. By investing in education, the United States can continue to advance stability, resilience, and opportunity for some of the world’s most vulnerable children.
