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At the same time, low and middle income countries expected to lose 30 percent of aid to education between 2023 and 2027. Development aid to education has been declining for several years after the US massively reduced foreign aid and other countries prioritized debt repayment and military spending.
As foreign aid for education decreases, UNESCO highlights debt-for-education swaps as a potential alternative for developing countries.
Debt-for-education swaps are a form of debt relief in which lenders forgive a portion of a country’s debt. In return, borrowing countries must spend some of the money on domestic education projects, so that countries can protect education spending during periods of fiscal constraints.
“Education is the most powerful investment a country can make,” said UNESCO Director General Khaled El-Enany.
Education aid plummeted
Aid for education falls by eight percent between 2023 and 2025, and aid for basic education falls by 15 percent over the same period. The United States is cutting total foreign aid by 57 percent, the European Union by 14 percent, and Japan by six percent by 2025, according to UNESCO’s Counting the Loss report released on Friday.
Much of the decline was caused by the dissolution of the main US aid agency, USAID, the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, energy price shocks, and prioritization of investment in green energy, UNESCO said.
The countries most affected by this reduction in aid were Nicaragua, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Mauritania and Honduras, according to the report.
While debt-for-education swaps may not be suitable for all contexts, UNESCO says that debt-for-education swaps have been successful in Peru, Egypt and Ivory Coast.
In addition to these financing methods, UNESCO recommends reducing borrowing costs, building the resilience of education systems and increasing domestic education spending wherever possible.
Violence in Sri Lankan prisons must be investigated
UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) on Friday urge prompt, independent and transparent investigation into the recent outbreak of deadly violence at a prison in Negombo, Sri Lanka, which killed at least 23 people and critically injured at least 15 people.
“The families of dozens of people killed and injured – both inmates and prison officials – deserve to know the truth and see accountability,” OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement.
The rioting broke out for two days starting Sunday at the Negombo city prison, about 22 miles north of the capital, Colombo. According to reports, poor detention conditions such as overcrowding may have played a role in fueling the violence.
Call to monitor conditions
OHCHR noted that this deadly incident highlights the need for Sri Lanka to address issues including prolonged pre-trial detention, overcrowding and other inadequate prison conditions.
Many people in Sri Lanka are detained for drug-related offenses, when they would benefit from a health-centred response rather than incarceration, Ms. Shamdasani.
OHCHR encouraged Sri Lankan authorities to allow the independent Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission access to Negombo and other detention facilities to monitor conditions, especially amid allegations of torture and ill-treatment.
The UN airlifted supplies to Venezuela
United Nations migration agency (IOM) has flown in relief supplies including jerry cans, solar lights and indoor privacy partitions to Venezuela to support communities affected by the June 24 earthquake.
“For families facing the impact of an earthquake, when and how they receive initial assistance can make a big difference in how they recover,” said Kim Eling, IOM’s Senior Director of Strategy and External Engagement.
The powerful earthquake killed 3,889 people, injured at least 16,740 and displaced 17,907 people, according to local authorities.
Collaboration with partners
IOM worked closely with the DHL Disaster Response Team, the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Panama and the Government of Venezuela to coordinate the delivery of emergency aid, which arrived in the capital Caracas on Tuesday.
“This operation highlights IOM’s ongoing commitment to preparedness, rapid emergency response, and effective humanitarian supply chain coordination, using strategic partnerships and global capacity to provide life-saving assistance to communities affected by crises,” IOM wrote in a press release.
Supplies, which will support emergency shelter operations, continue to grow UN efforts to mobilize aid to Venezuelans affected by the earthquake.
