Children in Crisis

As we step into 2026, our hearts are full of gratitude and hope.  

In 2025, your generosity profoundly transformed lives—delivering the life-saving aid children need to survive crises and the long-term support they need to heal and rebuild after emergencies.  

Thank you for your continued compassion in ensuring that no child grows up alone. As you read this report, we hope you enjoy reflecting on all you helped accomplish in 2025—and how your continued support is already protecting children in 2026. 

Hope amidst a health crisis: Somalia’s diphtheria outbreak 

After global aid cuts collapsed funding for many vaccines in 2025, Somalia is experiencing a public health crisis. 

Diphtheria, a potentially deadly bacterial infection, is sweeping through communities—with children suffering the most.  

With their developing immune systems and difficulties receiving a timely diagnosis, children face high mortality rates from the disease. 

Diphtheria is extremely rare in countries with widespread vaccinations against the disease, but in Somalia, more than 1,600 cases of diphtheria have been reported in 2025, resulting in at least 87 deaths.  

The lack of vaccine availability compounded by a six-year drought has left children and families in crisis. 

“This outbreak is different—it’s occurring at a time when the health system has collapsed,” said Dr Mohamed Abdulqadir, a hospital administrator in Somalia. “Limited immunization, low public awareness and poor accessibility have exacerbated the spread among vulnerable communities.” 

But, thanks to supporters like you, children aren’t left to deal with this health disaster alone. 

Your dedication to protecting children in need has delivered diphtheria vaccines for 6,000 children through the SOS Children’s Villages hospital in Banadir, Somalia!  

Thank you for your compassionate, continued generosity. Because of you, children in Somalia can start 2026 healthy, safe and ready to thrive. 

Emergency update: Children in crisis in the DRC 

“Every day, more families [lose] everything: their homes, their lands and their hope.” –SOS Children’s Villages DRC staff member 

Prolonged armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has made it one of the most dangerous places in the world for children.  

As violence forces families to flee and destroys livelihoods, many parents are plunged into poverty—leaving them unable to afford food for their children.  

Without urgent help, children and families are at risk of starvation. 

That’s why your support is so critical. 

With the help of supporters like you, more than 1,400 children and 400 families in the DRC have the life-saving care they need—like nutritious food, psychological support and safe spaces for education and economic empowerment. 

Thanks to your unwavering support for the children who need you most, children in the DRC have the nutritious food they need to grow, learn and build a brighter future—no matter the state of the world around them.