Plan International - MEESA (Middle East, Eastern and Southern Africa)

This #DayOfTheGirl, we’re standing in solidarity with girls living in conflict around the 🌎. By uniting for peace, we want to bring an end to the devastating impact of conflict on girls and boys around the world. Join our movement and post a symbol of a heart on your social media and tagging #UniteForPeace ❤️

The law passed by Israel’s Knesset banning @UNRWA from the Occupied Palestinian Territory will have immensely negative implications for Palestinian children & their families. An already catastrophic situation in #Gaza is going to get worse because of this cruel move. #CeasefireNOW https://lnkd.in/dPi7i3ED

Plan International is devastated by reports of rape, sexual violence and mass killings in Sudan’s Al Jazirah state. We condemn any targeting of civilians and denial of access to critical humanitarian assistance by communities in need and call on all parties to uphold their obligation to protect civilians under International Humanitarian Law.

Every year, for the International Day of the Girl, hundreds of girls step into the roles of leaders for a day, putting them in leadership and decision making positions and encouraging leaders to hear their views and gain insight. Through the #GirlsTakeover, girls occupy spaces where they are rarely seen or heard, making it clear they have the right to be there without being silenced or ignored. In doing so, we aim to change perceptions around what is possible for girls and young women as decision makers, leaders and change makers. Here are some of the highlights of this year's #GirlsTakeovers across the region as we continue to advocate for children's rights and equality for girls. https://lnkd.in/dWPndQNZ

“Children ought to dream wildly” says 23-year-old Emmanuel from Kenya. This week #UniteForPeace and join youth activists around the world who are standing in solidarity with children living in conflict. Share your heart ❤️

"The time is now for the AU to act boldly and swiftly, even in the absence of a ceasefire, to ensure Sudan civilians are protected." says former president of Malawi H.E Dr. Joyce Banda https://lnkd.in/eDu7US3j Crisis Action

Children in Lebanon who have been forced to flee their homes as a result of escalating conflict with Israel are facing health risks as shelters become more crowded by the day. https://lnkd.in/dAnZsFmp

It is devastating that children are facing famine. No conflict should ever come to this. This #WorldFoodDay, we’re calling upon all parties to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access

Today as we mark #WorldFoodDay, let's reflect on some of the stark realities of the most devastating hunger crisis ever! 👉 309 million people are facing acute hunger in 71 countries 👉 Conflict, climate extremes, economic shocks and forced displacement continues to drive vulnerable households into food emergencies. 👉 According to the World Food Programme almost 70 percent of the 309 million people facing acute hunger are in fragile or conflict-hit countries. 👉 Conflict disrupts food production, forces people from their homes and sources of income, and often hinders humanitarian access to people in most need. What does this mean to communities living through this devastating crisis? 😟 In many households, adults are skipping all meals to allow children to eat. However, even with these sacrifices, infant and child malnutrition rates have reached critical levels, and the immediate threat of starvation is ever-present. 😟 Girls are often the first to be taken out of school, and the last to eat when food runs low. 😟 In some of the world’s worst hunger hotspots, there have even been reports of families resorting to early and forced child marriage for their daughters, simply to survive. Hunger also places girls at risk of child labour, gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and unwanted pregnancy.     What needs to happen? 🛎️ We must highlight the needs of the children under the age of five, immunisation campaigns are vital as is addressing the rising levels of acute and chronic malnutrition. Children will die if immediate highly specialised therapeutic and supplementary feeding is not scaled up. 🛎️ Cash is critically needed to respond to the dire hunger needs, supporting both local markets and the most vulnerable communities. 🛎️ We urgently need unhindered access to all humanitarian aid across the impacted countries and borders ******From Sudan to Haiti, Plan International is present in many of the countries most affected by this global food crisis. We are rapidly scaling up programmes such as nutrition support, cash and voucher assistance, food distributions, child protection, school meal programmes and livelihoods support.**********

Extending our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who graced our regional conversation on Tuesday 8 October ahead of the #InternationalDayoftheGirl. Your attendance, support and enthusiasm added to the event's success and made the occasion truly special, and we are honoured to have had you join us. It was 70+ young people, colleagues, peers, UN representatives, partners and donors and 2 hours of powerful and compelling conversation. The youth in the room were clear - "You cannot decide for us what we need, you need to listen to us and our needs as we navigate through conflict" What led to powerful commitments in the room including; 1. "We promise to do better and do more to increase dialogue with adolescent girls." UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Regional Director Mamadou Dian Balde 2. "We are establishing youth advisory boards and investing in research to better respond to the needs of girls in conflict." FCDO Procurement 3. "We will make sure we enhance spaces for young people's voices to guide the work we do as well as collaborate & partner with other organisations for greater impact." Roselyn Akinyi Walender Practical Action Africa Director 4. "We will listen more, respond more and surrender more platforms to girls." Angela Githitho-Muriithi Sub-Regional Director Plan International - MEESA (Middle East, Eastern and Southern Africa) 5. "We will continue using our digital platform Her City toolbox, to engage women and girls drive planning processes to develop safe, inclusive, and accessible public spaces" José Chong UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) As we mark #InternationalDayoftheGirl today, what are you doing to stand with and advocate for girls in conflict and climate-related emergencies? Let's hear you in the comment section 👇 In the meantime, here's 2 hours of this regional conversation in 45 seconds 🙂