International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 calls for “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” (United Nations). In Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia, these words resonate in contexts where drought and conflict collide - driving displacement, hunger, and protection risks while stretching already fragile services for women and girls. As the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG), we issue this joint call to recognise and respond to the compounded realities facing women and girls across these crises.

Juma Ignatius says women bear the brunt of climate and humanitarian crises yet are sidelined. Empowering women’s leadership is vital for children’s futures.

Kevin Mackey- World Vision Somalia National Director on the release of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)

WVS’s child well-being priorities are closely aligned with Pillar 3: Social Development of the Somalia National Transformation Plan (NTP) and contribute directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Efforts to improve child nutrition and reduce wasting and stunting advance SDG 2: Zero Hunger and respond to the NTP priority of improving access to and quality of nutrition and food security services. Expanding equitable, quality maternal and child healthcare supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, addressing the NTP’s goal of strengthening accessible healthcare systems. Finally, strengthening child protection systems and family support contributes to SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, reinforcing the NTP commitment to protect children and promote social cohesion.

Somalia remains one of the most protracted and complex humanitarian contexts globally, with over three decades of armed conflict, political fragility, and recurrent climate shocks degrading livelihoods and resilience. Cycles of insecurity, drought, and flooding—now intensified by climate change—continue to devastate communities, with children disproportionately affected (FSNAU & FEWS NET, 2025; OCHA, 2025). As of early 2025, internal displacement has surged to an estimated 3.9 million people, driven by conflict, food insecurity, and environmental disasters (IOM, 2025), placing immense strain on essential services and deepening urban fragility.

Our presence in Somalia since 1993 has enabled us to establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders in the WASH sector. This includes the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR), a crucial partner, as well as other line ministries at federal, regional and state levels, the private sector, local partners, the Somalia WASH Cluster, UN agencies, and community actors. The sector’s model seamlessly integrates with other sectors to contribute to child wellbeing outcomes •WASH and health & nutrition •WASH and livelihoods •WASH and education •WASH and child protection & participation Our WASH sector is led by a multidisciplinary team of professional civil and water engineers, sanitation and hygiene specialists, M&E experts, and GIS specialists, collectively driving the sector’s vision and strategic objective

World Vision is complementing donor support through GIK

15 years after the Syria conflict began, millions of children are still paying the price. Renewed escalations in the Middle East threaten families already coping with hunger, displacement, and trauma. Today, over 7 million children in Syria need humanitarian assistance, and in 2025, World Vision Syria Response reached 2.5 million children with food, water, education, protection, and psychosocial support. Sustained international support is essential to meet the needs of Syria’s children and help them rebuild their lives after years of crisis.