UNESCO is significantly expanding its emergency aid programs, with a substantial portion dedicated to bolstering Ukraine’s recovery as the conflict enters its fifth year on . A newly allocated package of funds will support everything from the emergency stabilization and monitoring of damaged heritage sites to the creation of safe, inclusive, and resilient learning environments through vocational training, mental health assistance, and increased support for journalists.
The organization announced a series of new projects aimed at supporting communities worldwide impacted by conflict, climate change, and economic crises. These initiatives will focus on keeping schools open and safe in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda, improving flood preparedness in Nigeria and Somalia, and strengthening disaster response systems in Vietnam following Typhoon Wipha. In Yemen, a pilot project will expand access to potable water through renewable energy-powered desalination, while efforts in Türkiye and Lebanon will focus on creating safer and more conducive learning environments for children and youth.
UNESCO’s commitment extends to Moldova, where work will concentrate on protecting access to reliable information and independent media. These efforts are being supported by a significant financial contribution from Japan, which has committed a total of $27 million to UNESCO programs in Ukraine since 2022. A recent additional contribution of $6.9 million from Japan, announced earlier this month, further underscores this commitment.
A key element of the expanded aid package is a strong focus on youth and their future prospects. Projects in Sudan, Iraq, and Palestine will aim to create employment opportunities, expand skills training, and promote grassroots peacebuilding initiatives. In Ethiopia, Benin, Senegal, Gabon, Nigeria, and South Africa, young people will gain access to digital tools and training geared towards current labor market demands. Other programs will work to improve access to sanitation facilities and menstrual hygiene in schools in Gabon, and to support inclusive education opportunities for migrant children and youth from Myanmar in Thailand.
These new funds build upon UNESCO’s ongoing efforts to safeguard culture, education, and press freedom in emergency situations. The organization cites examples including projects in Mosul (Iraq), Ukraine, Gaza, and Beirut, through which it has provided training to 3,500 individuals on emergency preparedness and response, protected 40 World Heritage sites, and safeguarded over 21,000 objects from museum collections.
UNESCO has also implemented 320 emergency education initiatives in 133 countries, benefiting 42.5 million students. This demonstrates a broad and sustained commitment to mitigating the disruption caused by crises to educational opportunities globally.
The latest initiatives follow a resolution adopted at UNESCO’s 221st session in April 2025, which urged the Director-General to intensify emergency assistance to Ukraine, condemn Russian aggression, and mobilize global support for protecting Ukraine’s cultural heritage and sovereignty. Deputy Director-General Xing Qu presented an implementation report at the session, highlighting UNESCO’s increasing efforts to mobilize resources and support Ukrainian recovery in its mandated areas. Member states reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and condemned recent attacks, including those in Kryvyi Rih and Sumy, as war crimes.
The organization’s response is multifaceted, encompassing not only immediate emergency aid but also long-term recovery and resilience building. The Heritage Emergency Fund, established in 2015, provides funding for preparedness and response efforts to protect and restore heritage at risk. The Global Media Defence Fund supports organizations worldwide in strengthening legal protections for journalists and promoting media freedom through investigative journalism and strategic litigation. These funds are critical components of UNESCO’s broader strategy to address the root causes of conflict and build lasting peace.
The scale of the challenge is significant, particularly in Ukraine, where the conflict is entering its fifth year. The ongoing support from partners like Japan, and the mobilization of $73 million in aid, are vital to ensuring that UNESCO can continue to deliver essential services and support to those most affected by the crisis. The organization’s work underscores the crucial role of culture, education, and information in times of war and instability, and its commitment to rebuilding the foundations of peace in conflict-affected regions.
