Joint Statement: Four Leading Child Rights Organizations Launch Joining Forces Somalia Chapter to Unite Efforts for Children's Protection

MOGADISHU, 11 February 2026 – Four major child-focused agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to unite efforts in promoting and protecting children across Somalia through the Joining Forces for Children Alliance.

Save the Children Somalia, World Vision Somalia, Plan International, and SOS Children's Villages officially launched the Joining Forces Somalia Chapter at a signing ceremony in Mogadishu. The alliance aims to leverage the collective expertise and resources of its members to address the urgent needs of Somalia's children, who face multiple challenges, including conflict, climate shocks, and limited access to essential services.

Joining Forces is a global alliance of six child-focused international NGOs working together to accelerate change, secure children's rights, and end violence against them. The Somalia Chapter will focus on strengthening child protection systems, promoting child-led advocacy, ensuring vulnerable children are not left behind, and holding stakeholders accountable to the communities they serve.

The alliance aims to implement joint initiatives for Ending Violence Against Children (EVAC) and Child Rights Now! (CRN!) to expedite the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals for children. The specific aim of the Coalition is to demand child rights and substantially reduce violence against children by 2030 through joint programming, research and advocacy.

Save the Children currently serves as Chair of the alliance in Somalia.

Binyam Gebru, Acting Country Director of Save the Children Somalia, said:

“This partnership marks a bold new chapter in our commitment to Somalia's children. By combining our strengths and experience, we can create lasting change for children across the country. Joining Forces enables us to advocate with one voice for increased investment in child well-being and to deliver programs that address the root causes of vulnerability facing Somalia's children.”

Kevin Paul Mackey, Country Director of World Vision Somalia, said:

“Children in Somalia face compounding crises, from drought and displacement to the ongoing impacts of conflict. Through Joining Forces, we can strengthen our collective response and ensure that no child is left behind. This alliance allows us to work together in new ways to build resilient communities where every child can thrive.”

Sadia Allin, Country Director of Plan International Somalia, said:

“Joining Forces represents our shared commitment to promoting children's rights and gender equality across Somalia. By working together, we can amplify our impact on child protection, education, and the elimination of harmful practices like female genital mutilation. This alliance will help us reach more children and ensure their voices are heard in decisions that affect their lives.”

Dakane Abdikadir, National Director of SOS Children's Villages in Somalia, said:

“This collaboration comes at a pivotal time for Somalia’s children, as the country moves forward in recovery, state-building, and institutional reform after decades of fragility that have disproportionately impacted children.Through Joining Forces, we draw on our decades of experience in child protection and advocacy in Somalia while aligning humanitarian action with long-term, sustainable solutions. Together, we seek to drive systemic change by strengthening government systems, empowering communities, and promoting family-based care, so that every child in Somalia grows up safe, protected, and able to reach their full potential and contribute to the country’s future."

We call on government institutions, donors, civil society, and community leaders to step up their commitment to children by investing in strong child protection systems, inclusive education, health and nutrition services, and family-based care. By working together across sectors and levels, we can turn collective commitments into tangible action and ensure that every child in Somalia grows up safe, protected, and with the opportunity to thrive and realize their full potential.