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.

The escalation of hostilities in Lebanon is intense and rapidly expanding, resulting in nearly 820,000 forcibly displaced people - more than 200,000 of them children - in less than two weeks. Evacuation orders are expanding, with the country to the south launching the ‘South of Zahrani River’ initiative. Evacuation orders now encompass the entire region south of the Litani River, triggering waves of mass displacement as well as repeated displacement among already vulnerable families. In several Christian-majority towns in the South, residents initially resisted leaving their homes, but were ultimately evacuated under the escort of UNIFIL for civilian protection. Hostilities are increasingly affecting areas beyond the ‘traditional’ frontline zones, a troubling trend that points to a more aggressive escalation than that of 2024. Recent airstrikes hit the neighborhoods of Haret Saida, Tyre, Aramoun, Ramlet El Bayda, areas deemed safer, in one case targeting a car nearby displaced families staying in tents. Targeting of central Beirut is new - with strikes on hotels and residential buildings that inevidably affect civilians in the surrounding areas. An estimated have been killed, with 81 children killed since March 1. UNICEF estimates that 10 children per day are killed. Lebanon’s Ministry of Social Affairs reports 822,600 internally displaced people self-registered on the Government’s digital platform, indicating that overall displacement is significantly higher than that captured through collective shelter reporting. In addition, almost 84,000 Syrians and more than 8,000 Lebanese have crossed into Syria since 2 March. Violations to International Humanitarian Law continue, with frontline responders at great risk. To date, 14 paramedics were killed, including one member of the Lebanese Red Cross, underscoring the growing risks faced by emergency personnel.

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.

Rising Together: Hope for Every Child | World Vision South Asia and Pacific 2025 Impact Report reveals how evidence-based programs reached 5.8 million children and 9.2 million people. Explore how we are tackling climate shocks, child hunger, and violence through locally-led solutions for children and communities across 15 countries.

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.

Despite escalating conflict, climate shocks, economic instability and widespread displacement, we reached over 26 million people, including 16.4 million children

Through a partnership between World Vision and the World Food Programme (WFP), school feeding programmes are helping children stay in school, stay nourished and stay protected. School meals are a proven investment in learning, resilience, and human capital, especially in humanitarian emergencies.

Children are at the heart of everything we do, their voices, dreams, and well-being drive our mission.  We are excited to share that amid the ever-growing humanitarian needs we reached 16.4 Million children in the East Africa Region.

After starting their lives from scratch as refugees in a new country, Ben and Amalia have established their own NGOs to support their communities.