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.

In Kuac South village in Warrap State, South Sudan, providing for a family of 13 once felt impossible for 45-year-old Joseph Ayok Ayok. But one Sunday in March 2024, during a church service, he heard about the Empowered Worldview program — a moment that would begin to change his life.

2025 had been a challenging yet productive year for World Vision in South Sudan. Despite funding cuts and growing humanitarian needs, we pressed on—guided by our faith and our commitment to serve. The year had been a testament that when Christ is placed at the centre of our work, hope endures and impact is possible, even in the most difficult circumstances.

World Vision Condemns Fatal Attacks on School in Sudan’s White Nile State

This reflection marks the anniversary of the Syria conflict while highlighting signs of renewed hope and change for Syrian communities. Despite ongoing needs, the progress seen in education, nutrition, and essential services signals new beginnings and resilience for the Syrian people.

When conflict in Malakal destroyed John Tuk Awi’s business, he lost everything — his income, his stability, and the future he had been building for his family. Years later, the Empowered Worldview program helped him rediscover hope and the confidence to rebuild his life.

Drawing on first‑hand experience from one of the world’s most fragile contexts, Paul Kinuthia, Senior Director, Food, Cash & Markets, Disaster Management, argues that repeatedly cutting food, health and protection services traps communities in endless crisis. He makes the case that narrowing aid to short‑term survival is a false economy that drives higher costs, deeper instability and repeated emergencies. The solution, the author provides, is urgent investment in resilience alongside life‑saving aid. This investment should be seen as a credible way to protect children and reduce the need over time.