Education in emergencies: ECW strengthens its commitment in Bunia under the coordination of SPACE

A working session was held on Monday, February 2, 2026, in the meeting room of the SPACE Permanent Secretariat. It brought together a delegation from the Education Cannot Wait (ECW) donor, the Education Cluster, and government representatives from the ministries responsible for education and training in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The ECW delegation was led by Mr. Graham Lang, Deputy Director of ECW, who is currently serving as Acting Director. The discussions were coordinated by the Permanent Secretary of SPACE, Professor Valère Monsya.

$10 million in funding for Ituri 

This meeting follows the scoping mission conducted in 2024, which led to the development of the Multi-Year Resilience Plan II (MYRP II), as well as its funding of $10 million for a two-year period.

The program will be implemented in Ituri Province.

The mission’s main objectives were to strengthen strategic dialogue, deepen understanding of the operational context, and ensure the effective, coherent, and adaptable implementation of the PPAR II. 

Synergy of Actions with International Partners 

In the lead-up to the official PPAR II launch mission in Bunia, the ECW team also held discussions with donors grouped within the Inter-Donor Group for the Education and Training Sector (GIBEF). 

These discussions allowed technical and financial partners to address available funding, ongoing programming in the DRC, and opportunities for collaboration, with a view to synergizing efforts and ensuring complementary interventions.

Heading to Bunia: Official Launch and Field Visits

During the discussions, Professor Valère Monsya announced that the official launch mission for PPAR II is scheduled for February 3–6, 2026, in Bunia.

This mission will bring together a team comprising the Education Cluster, UNICEF, ECW, and government representatives, notably from DEVC, SPACE, and the DGNF of the Ministry of Social Affairs.

It will include site visits to intervention locations and the participation of relevant stakeholders in the official program launch workshop.

High-level advocacy and operationalization of the SEFSU

Additionally, a meeting between Ms. Raïssa Malu Dinanga, Minister of State, Minister of National Education and New Citizenship, and the mission team is scheduled for February 9, 2026, at the minister’s office.

This information was confirmed by Ms. Christelle Nsambu, Director and Head of the Department of Education for Daily Life and the ministry’s focal point for education in emergency situations.

This meeting is part of the effort to ensure the implementation of the Strategy for Education and Training in Emergency Situations (SEFSU), to enhance the visibility of the Government’s commitment, and to encourage the mobilization of partners.

This initiative demonstrates the determination of the supervising authority, Ms. Raïssa Malu Dinanga, to accompany and support actions in favor of education in emergency situations through the successful implementation of this program, which is considered promising and a source of hope for Ituri Province.

Magalie Mussa