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

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.

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.

This year, we continued to empower vulnerable children, youth, and families, witnessing how they thrive with education, protection, and community support,

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

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.

EU-funded World Vision project supports 4,800+ Ukrainian children with education, psychosocial aid, and protection amid ongoing war disruptions.

Kevin Mackey- World Vision Somalia National Director on the release of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)

Empowering Africa’s Children: World Vision Presents Child‑Friendly AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls