GBC-Education launches rapid response fund for education in emergencies

When a natural disaster or humanitarian crisis strikes, many companies instinctively want to do something to help – just as millions of individuals do. But very often they don’t have the wherewithal or the contacts to formulate a response that makes the most of their resources and expertise, and which is quick enough to make a difference in the crucial early stages of an emergency or conflict.

A new initiative from the Global Business Coalition for Education aims to bridge those gaps by helping businesses support education in emergencies in a timely fashion. The Global Disaster Relief and Education Response Fund will provide businesses with on-the-ground information and ready-to-go partnerships to raise and distribute funds within 30 days of an emergency in support of education. It will help companies make an immediate contribution to a relief effort, supply due-diligence vetting of partners, and work with a company before an emergency happens to establish its priorities so that the right action can be taken with agreed outcomes in mind.

The fund was officially launched on February 16 at the financing conference of Education Cannot Wait, the UN global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises, by Emily Friedman, Head of Business Impact at the Global Business Coalition for Education.

“We think GBC-Education is well positioned to help businesses become a leading force in delivering much-needed support for education in the initial stages of emergency response and recovery,” said Emily....