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.

With support from WFP, World Vision is supporting farmers in Dollow to be more resilient

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.

The drought in Somalia is impacting children the most

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.

As drought tightens its grip across Kenya’s ASAL regions, families in counties like Turkana face severe hunger, water scarcity, and loss of livelihoods. In response, World Vision Kenya, in partnership with government and humanitarian agencies, is delivering lifesaving food assistance and support to thousands of vulnerable households, ensuring children remain at the centre of every intervention.

With the village well nearly depleted, Awo and her daughter depend on short-term water trucking—uncertain of what comes next.

World Vision is complementing donor support through GIK

Drought has made it hard for Ayan to maintain her way of life. The family lost their livestock, and many shops and livelihoods that depended on them have closed. Some children have had to relocate to other areas with more resources to help them survive.