Famine is not a natural disaster and can be prevented. Across the world’s hunger hotspots, early warnings are clear, yet governments continue to act too late – or not at all. Conflict, blockades, and the denial of humanitarian access, not food scarcity, are driving a deepening hunger crisis, with children suffering first and longest. As aid budgets are cut, the gap between need and response is widening fast. This is a false economy: preventing famine costs far less than responding once lives are already lost. World Vision warns famine can be predicted and prevented – but only if leaders act early, protect civilians, and put children at the centre of hunger prevention.

Policy Brief | Famine Prevention & Food Security

World Vision Mali’s 2025 Annual Report highlights key achievements improving children’s lives through education, WASH, nutrition and humanitarian assistance.

On February 18, 2026, Sailung’a Health Facility in Mwinilunga District marked a major step toward improved health services. World Vision Zambia handed over a modern ablution block and water system to the facility. The new infrastructure strengthens access to safe water and sanitation for patients, mothers, children, and health workers.

In Manica Province, Mrs. Ana’s grandson Emanuel survives malaria and diarrhoea thanks to trained Polyvalent Health Agents supported by the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge Project, bringing lifesaving care closer to rural families in Mozambique.

This interview with Dr. Liliane Shacko, Acting Chief Medical Officer of the Manika Health Zone in Kolwezi, discusses the cholera outbreak that began in December 2025 and the response efforts underway to contain it. She explains how the outbreak started in the Mutoshi Health Area, outlines the current situation with more than 200 cases recorded, and highlights the measures taken by health authorities and partners, including the establishment of treatment centres, water chlorination points and community awareness campaigns. Dr. Shacko also addresses ongoing challenges such as high population mobility and the continued arrival of cases from neighbouring health zones. She emphasizes the critical role of partners like World Vision in supporting prevention and community engagement, while urging residents to follow hygiene measures and seek immediate medical care if symptoms appear.

A cholera outbreak that began in December 2025 in the Manika Health Zone of Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo, has prompted a coordinated response from health authorities, community health workers, and humanitarian partners. With support from World Vision, essential medical supplies, water treatment materials, and sanitation equipment were provided to strengthen prevention, treatment, and community awareness efforts. Community health workers have played a central role in educating families about hygiene practices, water chlorination, and early referral of suspected cases. Through these combined efforts, thousands of residents in high-risk neighbourhoods have received clean water and cholera prevention messages. While the response is helping reduce transmission risks, health authorities warn that continued vigilance and community mobilisation remain essential due to ongoing population movement and the risk of the outbreak spreading to neighbouring areas.

Dr Eun Seok Kim says NTD elimination requires more than drugs. Lasting change comes from safer environments, engaged communities, and resilient health systems.

In Ouallam, 39 community health workers support families daily despite insecurity and scarce resources. According to Souleymane Idrissa, head of the Ouallam health center, trainings provided through the “Strengthening access to care and epidemic control” project funded by World Health Organization and implemented by World Vision Niger and ISCV marked a major turning point. Health workers gained critical skills in managing gender-based violence, encouraging referrals, and supporting survivors, including access to psychological care. The project also strengthened disease surveillance through training on the minimum emergency activity package, enabling faster detection and reporting of measles, malaria, cholera, meningitis, and other serious illnesses, even in displaced persons sites. Long-serving relays like Seyni Seydou and Maimouna Birgui describe a deepened sense of purpose, improved knowledge, and stronger community trust. Beyond technical skills, the trainings enhanced awareness-raising, early care-seeking, and social cohesion. Today, community health workers in Ouallam act as true health sentinels, better equipped to prevent disease, respond to epidemics, and protect their communities.