An uncomfortable truth: without placing children at the heart of resilience strategies, we are merely managing decline rather than building the future.

Through the Sustainable Livelihood Enhancement Project, World Vision Sierra Leone is empowering 100 farming households in Pujehun District by handing over livestock. This initiative aims to boost food security, strengthen livelihoods and support “Feed Salone” programme.

Olena, a Ukrainian teacher, faces constant upheaval due to war. Evacuated thrice, she now seeks safety in Lviv with her daughters, relying on community support to stay resilient, continue her work, and provide stability for her students amid ongoing conflict.

Sibonginkosi Mungoni, the Senior Advisor Livelihoods and Economic Recovery in Emergencies, emphasises that resilience must be central to humanitarian programming, especially in fragile contexts where children are most vulnerable. She raises the alarm on long-term recovery being sidelined for short-term relief in the humanitarian reset conversation. She calls for integrated, child-centred approaches backed by flexible funding to ensure sustainable impact and protect children from recurring crises.

Matthew Pickard, Regional Director for World Vision Southern Africa, reflects on Mozambique’s powerful example of post-conflict recovery and resilience. Drawing from personal experience in Niassa Province after the civil war, he emphasises that peace is not solely the product of political agreements—it is built and sustained by communities. Yet, Mozambique’s peace remains fragile. In Cabo Delgado, ongoing insurgency has displaced over 50,000 people since early 2024. He reaffirms that Mozambique’s story underscores a critical development truth: sustainable peace is people-powered. When local leadership, civil society, and governments collaborate, transformation is not only possible—it’s inevitable.

Phiona Koyiet, Senior Technical Advisor for Mental Health and Psychosocial, calls for more investment in mental health and psychological well-being in emergencies, ensuring children and communities in the most fragile and crisis-affected settings can not only survive, but thrive.

Ma’an’s scorching heat and high unemployment didn’t stop Jameel and Hania from joining our climate resilience project to make communities more sustainable.