Four major child-focused agencies launched the Joining Forces Somalia Chapter on 11 February 2026, uniting efforts to strengthen child protection laws, end violence against children, and amplify children's voices in policy decisions. Save the Children Somalia chairs the alliance, which will advocate for passage of key child rights legislation and conduct national research on the situation of Somalia's children.
MOGADISHU, 11 February 2026 – Four major child-focused agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to unite efforts in promoting child rights and protecting children across Somalia from violence 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 child-focused 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 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.
More than half of Somalia's population are children, and despite progress in some areas, children continue to face high rates of malnutrition, limited access to education, and vulnerabilities due to ongoing conflicts and climate crises. The Joining Forces Somalia Chapter will work alongside communities, local partners, and government to design and implement programs that meet children's needs and advocate for increased investment in child protection and well-being.
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ABOUT JOINING FORCES
Joining Forces is a global alliance of six child-focused international NGOs: ChildFund Alliance, Plan International, Save the Children, SOS Children's Villages International, Terre des Hommes International Federation, and World Vision. The alliance works to accelerate progress toward realizing children's rights and ending violence against children. For more information, visit www.joining-forces.org
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:
Save the Children Somalia
Mohamed Abdinasir Jama, Head of Communications and Media
Email: mohamed.jama1@savethechildren.org Phone: +252 90 7859700
World Vision Somalia
Walter Mawere, Communications and Marketing Manager
Email: walter_mawere@wvi.org Phone: +263 77 357 6324
Plan International Somalia
Muhiim Osman, Communication and Media Focal Person
Email: Muhiim.Osman@plan-international.org
SOS Children's Villages Somalia
Dahir Abdullahi, Communication and Advocacy Manager
Email: dahir.abdullahi@sossomalia.org Phone: +252 612654436
