Simone Mane is the national director of World Vision in Sudan. He shares a critical update on the escalating situation in the country.

Malnourished children in Sudan’s Darfur region will become nearly unreachable as the four-month rainy season begins in June. Humanitarian aid routes into Darfur from Chad turn impassable, as roads dissolve into flooded wadis and thick, wheel-sucking “black cotton” mud, cutting off access to the care and nutrition children urgently need.

As Sudan enters its fourth year of conflict, the country is at a breaking point. More than 12 million people have fled violence, agricultural production is collapsing, and funding shortages are forcing many agencies to leave or cut operations.

Across the nation, tens of millions of Sudanese are struggling to survive after fleeing their communities to camps in remote and inhospitable locations, and in the mountains, without any belongings and no access to water or food.

Risk of starvation among children

Without urgent action, Sudan’s most vulnerable people, especially malnourished children, face a growing risk of starvation. Sustained humanitarian access, expanded food assistance, and innovative delivery methods are critical to preventing widespread loss of life.

More than 10 million people are experiencing extreme or severe levels of food insecurity, uncertain of where their next meal is coming from. Many families rely on already-stretched host communities, search for wild food, or wait for infrequent aid deliveries of wheat, millet, and pulses such as lentils, peas, and beans that must travel over 1,677 miles from Cameroon’s port of Douala, into Chad, and then across the border into Darfur, Sudan.

In places like the mountainous region of Jabal Marra in western Sudan, women who fled the recent brutal siege of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, say they have not had food in more than four months and are now feeding their children one or, at most, two meagre meals of sorghum a day. This is the hot season before the rains come in June, when temperatures reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and almost nothing grows.

An estimated 800,000 children — most of them in the Darfur and Kordofan regions — are at immediate risk of death without urgent nutritional support. As the rainy season begins, the risk of disease outbreaks, including cholera, typhoid, mosquito-borne malaria, and diarrheal illnesses, will further increase, particularly among the already malnourished children.

A complex response to help the most vulnerable

Expanded humanitarian access during the rainy season will be critical to reach those most in need. This includes ensuring safe passage for aid, protecting supply routes, and enabling pre-positioning of food before roads become inaccessible. Without storage capacity, it becomes much harder to sustain distributions throughout the rainy months.

At least 168,000 tons of food is required to address the hunger crisis over the coming months. Logistical challenges mean that only supplies already in transit are likely to reach some of the affected areas in time. Aside from humanitarian aid, the Chad-Sudan border is closed to normal trade due to drone strikes inside Chad.

Air delivery of food remains a last resort option. The Ilyushin Il-76 cargo planes typically carry only up to 50 tons of food, enough to feed up to 5,000 people for a month on reduced rations, far short of what is needed at this scale.

Sachets of Ready-to-Use-Therapeutic Food (RUTF) — a high-energy peanut paste for children at extreme risk of death — could be parachuted in for children on the brink of death. But this is specialized therapeutic food and would need to be collected at designated drop zones by aid workers to ensure it reaches those managing the therapeutic feeding centers. If the armed groups opened their airports to allow humanitarian food flights in, that would be even better.

In a region so cut off, another critical option is digital cash assistance. This relies on satellite-based connectivity, which in many areas has replaced damaged mobile networks. These connections have become a lifeline, allowing people to contact relatives, access support, and get digital cash transfers.

Humanitarian agencies can also use these systems to transfer funds to those most in need through mobile applications. Sudan’s most malnourished typically don’t have mobile phones, so the aid agency works through trusted financial agents, who convert digital funds into cash and distribute it to registered families.

Ultimately, saving lives at this scale will require multiple approaches, rapidly expanded and focused on those most at risk.

Humanitarian agencies can’t move enough food by road before the rains. Airdrops, especially of lifesaving therapeutic food, can help sustain the most vulnerable children and mothers. At the same time, digital cash assistance can support local markets and extend reach into inaccessible areas.

Ensuring sustained humanitarian access and safe passage for aid remains one of the most significant challenges.

Funding is another major constraint. The World Food Programme supports over 4 million people each month but has been forced to reduce rations due to funding shortfalls. Approximately 700 million is urgently needed to maintain food assistance.

World Vision continues to provide lifesaving support to the most severely malnourished children, including therapeutic feeding, but we need to keep the supplies flowing.

The U.N. says overall, Sudan needs nearly $3 billion to deliver humanitarian services to 20.4 million people in need. Only 16.1% has been pledged so far.

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The post Sudan crisis: Stories of survival, hope, and relief appeared first on World Vision.

Haiti faces a worsening humanitarian crisis. Armed gang violence, hunger, and ongoing instability are placing millions of people at greater risk. Children and families already struggling to find food and safety now face growing insecurity, displacement, and limited access to essential services.

World Vision is deeply concerned about the escalation of violence and compounding challenges that continue to threaten the safety and well-being of millions, especially children.

Haiti in crisis: Facts, FAQs, and how to help

• Fast facts: Haiti crisis
• What is the current situation in Haiti?
• Why is Haiti in crisis?
• What are the challenges and risks for Haitian children?
• How is World Vision helping vulnerable Haitian communities today?
• How many people in Haiti has World Vision supported?
• How can I make a difference and support Haitian children and families?

Fast facts: Haiti in crisis

• Widespread poverty: Haiti, the most impoverished nation in the Latin American and Caribbean region, faces severe economic challenges.
• Food insecurity: Nearly half of the Haitian population (5.7 million people) is affected by acute hunger, with over 1.9 million facing emergency levels of hunger.
• Displacement: Conflicts and natural disasters have displaced approximately 1.3 million people — over half of them children — within the country as of June 2025.
• Violence: Grave violations against children have surged 490% between 2023 and 2024, according to World Vision’s report.
• Healthcare crisis: Many health facilities are closed or operating only partially, limiting access to lifesaving care.
• Gender-based violence: Women and girls are increasingly victims of gang-related violence.
• Cholera outbreak: Tens of thousands of suspected cholera cases have been reported since 2022, straining an already fragile health system.
• Natural disasters: Haiti is highly vulnerable to earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and storms. Past disasters include the 2021 and 2010 earthquakes, which have compounded humanitarian needs.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

What is the current situation in Haiti?

Haiti is facing a prolonged and complex humanitarian crisis intensified by escalating violence, political instability, and economic hardship.

Since early 2024, armed groups have expanded their control across Port-au-Prince, with large portions of the city affected. This has disrupted access to food, clean water, healthcare, and other essential services. Insecurity has forced families to flee their homes, often multiple times, in search of safety.

The situation has also severely impacted supply chains. Looting and blockades have limited the movement of goods, contributing to rising food prices and worsening hunger.

Many Haitians are seeking safety elsewhere, including along the border with the Dominican Republic, where families face uncertain conditions and limited access to support.

At the same time, Haiti remains highly exposed to natural hazards. Seasonal storms and flooding continue to increase risks for vulnerable communities, intensifying already urgent humanitarian needs.

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Why is Haiti in crisis?

Haiti has faced a multidimensional crisis for decades, caused by political unrest and economic instability. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted Haiti, exacerbating economic challenges and straining an already fragile healthcare system. Earthquakes, cholera outbreaks, and hurricanes, including Hurricane Melissa in late October 2025, continue to compound the hardships Haitians face today.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

What are the challenges and risks for Haitian children?

A humanitarian crisis delivers the heaviest blow to the most vulnerable — especially children. Even before the catastrophic threat of Hurricane Melissa, children in Haiti faced challenging conditions:

• Exposure to violence: Witnessing or experiencing violence firsthand can have long-lasting physical, social, and psychological effects.
• Forced recruitment into gangs: Children are exposed to further violence and exploitation by being forced into gangs.
• Malnutrition and food insecurity: Crisis-induced food shortages and rising prices are putting children at greater risk of severe malnutrition and its lasting impacts.
• Lack of protection: Displacement and migration caused by the current volatile situation can separate children from their families and caregivers, making them more vulnerable to abuse.
• Limited access to healthcare: Closed hospitals and disrupted health services leave many children without access to essential care and vaccinations.
• Education disruptions: School closures due to security concerns put children at risk of setbacks or even complete loss of education.

Nothing to eat

“The children complain of hunger, and there is nothing to eat,” said Rosemita, a 28-year-old mother of five, who fled with her children (shown right) to the Dominican Republic, hoping they would have enough food and be kept safe. “The situation is very tough, very difficult.”

With nowhere to go due to the escalating violence in Haiti, they have found some relief through World Vision, which supports the family with essential aid and resources.

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How is World Vision supporting vulnerable Haitian communities today?

World Vision works to support and safeguard vulnerable children and families during these dangerous and unpredictable conditions. Our longstanding operations in the country persist, and we remain committed to serving those in need in Haiti, as we have been doing for over 45 years.

Our support includes:

• Humanitarian aid: Food, clean water, shelter, hygiene kits, and cash assistance.
• Psychosocial and child protection programs: Helping children cope with trauma from violence and disasters.
• Gender-based violence support: Reaching survivors through case management.
• Emergency preparedness for Hurricane Melissa: Monitoring the storm and pre-positioning supplies to support 4,000 households with essential items, including food aid, access to clean water, shelter materials, and more.

“Children and families in Haiti are facing compounding crises,” said Lesly Michaud, World Vision’s national program director in Haiti. “We are committed to standing with communities through this storm and beyond, ensuring they receive the support they need to recover and rebuild.”

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How many people in Haiti has World Vision supported?

In 2025, World Vision supported 567,000 of the most vulnerable people in Haiti, maintaining a meaningful presence and promoting hope and resilience. Key updates include:

• 27,495 people have gained access to clean water through 12 new water points.
• 1,342 heads of households, 85% of them women, received small business skills and financial support to start or expand businesses.
• 1,839 children under 5 with care for severe malnutrition — over 98% fully recovered.

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How can I make a difference and support Haitian children and families?

You can make an impact amid the crisis in Haiti and other disasters worldwide.

• Pray: Join us in praying for all those affected by the crisis in Haiti.
• Give: Your gift will help deliver crucial aid to vulnerable children and families affected by emergencies like the crisis in Haiti.
• Sponsor a child: Help equip a child, their family, and community for a brighter future. Sponsorship helps meet urgent needs today — and supports lasting empowerment through physical and spiritual resources.

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Famine conditions confirmed in North Darfur, Sudan. Help now:

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is one of the largest in the world today, with millions of children facing hunger, displacement, disease, and loss of access to education and protection as conflict continues into its fourth year.

 Sudan crisis: Facts, FAQs, and how to help

• Fast facts: Sudan crisis
• What is the current situation in Sudan?
• Is Sudan at risk of widespread famine?
• What is the impact on women and girls?
• How has the conflict affected Sudan’s people?
• How has the conflict impacted children in Sudan?
• How is the cholera outbreak affecting Sudan’s children and families?
• How many people has World Vision supported in the crisis in Sudan?
• Where has World Vision worked in Sudan, and for how long?
• How can I help children and families affected by the crisis in Sudan?

Fast facts: Sudan crisis

• People in need: Approximately 33.7 million people across Sudan need urgent humanitarian aid.
• Mass displacement: An estimated 13 to 14 million people have been forced from their homes since the conflict escalated in 2023.
• Acute food insecurity: More than 21 million people face acute food insecurity.
• Extreme hunger: Parts of North Darfur, including the Zamzam camp, south of El Fasher, are experiencing famine conditions.
• Risk of famine: The Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC) Famine Review Committee (FRC) warns that other regions may face famine without swift humanitarian aid.
• Health emergency: Disease outbreaks, including cholera, malaria, measles, and dengue fever, are rising due to disrupted health services.
• Education loss: With most schools closed or struggling to reopen, approximately 10.5 million children need educational support.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

What is the current situation in Sudan?

The conflict in Sudan has entered its fourth year, creating one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world. Entire communities have been destroyed, and essential systems, including health care, education, water, and protection, have largely collapsed. In places like El Fasher, the regional capital of North Darfur, renewed fighting in 2026 has forced thousands more families to flee into overcrowded and under-resourced camps.

Children are especially vulnerable. In some displacement sites, World Vision teams are identifying a sign of widespread family separation. Children arriving from El Fasher are now living in overcrowded, makeshift shelters, often sharing small spaces with multiple families. These conditions leave women and unaccompanied children especially vulnerable. Families lack access to safe drinking water, food, household supplies, warm clothing, and healthcare.

World Vision’s Sudan National Director Simon Mane said: “Behind every statistic is a child who has lost their home, their school, and their safety.”

BACK TO QUESTIONS

Is Sudan at risk of widespread famine?

Yes, Sudan’s food security situation is among the worst in the world. Famine conditions have been confirmed in certain areas, including North Darfur’s Zamzam camp, south of El Fasher, where ongoing fighting has intensified.

The last famine was declared in East Africa in South Sudan in 2017, and before that, in Somalia in 2011. In both situations, hundreds of thousands of lives were lost, and children suffered long-term impacts from malnutrition and loss of agricultural outputs.

With more than 21 million people facing acute food insecurity in 2026, children are the most affected.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

What is the impact on women and girls?

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the Sudan crisis. Millions of women and girls in Sudan are at risk of various forms of violence, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse — with displaced, refugee, and migrant women and girls facing heightened danger. 

Widespread shortages of food and essential resources leave women struggling to provide for their families. Reports of violence are rising, and girls face increased risks of child marriage, hazardous work, and exploitation.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

How has the conflict affected Sudan’s people?

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has had devastating effects on its people, with the U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reporting that 1 in 2 people in Sudan require humanitarian aid. Millions of people have been displaced and face immense uncertainty. Even before the conflict, many people faced hunger daily as a result of climate shocks, rising food prices, and political unrest.

The ongoing conflict has intensified pre-existing challenges, including:

• Acute shortages of food, water, medicines, and fuel, with prices of essential items and transportation sharply increasing.
• Limited or no access to healthcare services. Armed hostilities have affected a majority of health facilities in conflict zones, rendering them non-operational, and the remaining facilities are stretched beyond capacity.
• Forced displacement in various states, including Khartoum, Northern, Blue Nile, North Kordofan, North Darfur, West Darfur, and South Darfur. Many from these areas have fled to the neighboring countries of the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, and South Sudan.
• Sexual violence, which has been reported with increasing frequency. Protection of children and women is an urgent priority.
• Fear and insecurity. Armed combatants have been occupying homes and reportedly some hospitals and schools, attacking water and electrical infrastructure.

“This is confirmation of our worst fears coming to fruition — that thousands of people, including vulnerable children, will die from starvation,” said Sandoval Sr. “My prayer is that this will be a wake-up call for the world to pay attention to what’s happening in Sudan and mobilize resources to help. We are calling for unhindered, consistent access for humanitarian workers to get aid to the people who most need it. We must act now.”

BACK TO QUESTIONS

How has the conflict impacted children in Sudan?

Children are shouldering the heaviest burden of this devastating crisis, facing violence and hunger that threaten their lives and future opportunities. More children are displaced in Sudan than anywhere else in the world.

More children are displaced here than anywhere else in the world, and many have been separated from their families, some arriving in camps completely alone.

Across the country, children are not only going hungry but are also losing access to school, health care, and safe places to live. Homes, schools, and hospitals have been damaged or destroyed, stripping away the systems meant to protect them.

In South Darfur, Omer, 9, represents the physical toll of a nation gripped by hunger. Suffering from stunted growth, he lacks the energy to play and survives on just one bowl of plain porridge a day—or goes without food entirely. “My legs feel heavy, and my stomach always hurts. I am just so tired. I don’t want to play; I just want the hunger to stop,” Omer says.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

How is the cholera outbreak affecting Sudan’s children and families?

Millions of Sudanese children are at grave risk due to a deadly and rapidly spreading cholera outbreak. Since January 2025, more than 700 people have died — including children — and over 32,000 suspected cases have been reported. The disease now affects 17 of Sudan’s 18 states, compounding the suffering of families already devastated by conflict, hunger, forced displacement, and a collapsing healthcare system.

Among the most vulnerable are the 3.2 million malnourished children under 5. With weakened immune systems, these children face a significantly higher risk of dying from cholera and other preventable waterborne diseases. The rainy season has accelerated the spread, especially in overcrowded sites hosting internally displaced people and refugees.

“This is not just a public health crisis — it is a crisis of childhood, of dignity, and of survival,” said Simon Mane, World Vision’s national director in Sudan. “Children are dying from preventable diseases because we lack adequate resources to respond.”

World Vision is responding with access to lifesaving water, sanitation, and health (WASH) services, despite limited resources. In the hardest-hit states of Blue Nile, Red Sea, East Darfur, South Kordofan, and South Darfur, World Vision has delivered cholera treatment kits to nearly 9,000 people and provided emergency WASH services to over 25,000.

BACK TO QUESTIONS

How many people has World Vision supported in the crisis in Sudan?

World Vision has reached more than 5 million people in Sudan and in the region since the start of our response in 2023, most of them women and children — delivering lifesaving aid including food, access to clean water, child protection support, health and nutrition programs, sanitation and hygiene solutions, and more.

Among the lives touched by our support are twin boys Adam and Adeeb (pictured above at 21 months in May 2024) whose story shows both the challenges and hope within the crisis. Their mother, Tahani, undertook a courageous journey from her community in Sudan to the border of Chad, walking all the way to Farchana with one of the twins in her arms while a relative carried the other. “I faced shooting and people killing people on the road when I started coming,” Tahani said. “Houses and villages were on fire.”

When our staff met the twins in May 2024, they were severely malnourished. Adam weighed only 13 pounds.

While they endured unimaginable violence and displacement, they are now finding strength through critical support — including nutrient-rich food — they’re accessing through a health center, which World Vision is helping to expand. Improvements, including new water systems and electricity, have strengthened the center’s ability to care for and treat malnutrition cases. The twins, pictured below in September 2024, are no longer in a critical state of malnutrition. Adam and Adeeb are being monitored during their recovery by World Vision staff.

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Where has World Vision worked in Sudan, and for how long?

One of the largest humanitarian aid organizations in Sudan, we are headquartered in Khartoum. Our local staff work with volunteers and partners primarily in four states: South Darfur, Blue Nile, East Darfur, and South Kordofan. We’ve served children and families in Sudan from 1983 to 1988 and from 2004 onwards, initially responding in Darfur.

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How can I help children and families affected by the crisis in Sudan?

• Pray: Join us in praying for all those affected by the conflict in Sudan.

Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, lifting up the people of Sudan in their time of need. We pray for the safety of children, families, and World Vision staff, asking for Your protection and guidance as they navigate these dangerous times. Lord, we lift up those suffering from the hunger crisis, and we pray for provision and nourishment during this time of scarcity. We ask for Your special protection over women and girls who are particularly vulnerable to violence. Shield them from harm and give them strength and courage.

Lord, we plead for an end to the fighting and ask that Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, take the place of conflict. In Your mercy and grace we trust and hope. Amen.

• Give: Your gift today will help deliver essential care to children and families made vulnerable by the crisis in Sudan.

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Inside the crisis in Sudan

For a deeper dive into the humanitarian and displacement crisis in war-ravaged Sudan, join Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and top experts as they examine Sudan’s hunger crisis, the underlying conflict, and the international community’s response. Learn more in this detailed analysis, sponsored by World Vision. 

The post Sudan crisis: Facts, FAQs, and how to help appeared first on World Vision.

Headlines are filled with harsh realities — deepening hunger crises in Africa, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Sudan, and Ukraine, destructive natural disasters, and rising costs that strain families everywhere. It’s easy to feel weary and wonder if there are still reasons to hope, or where we can find hope in hard times. In moments like these, many of us find ourselves asking the same quiet questions, seeking understanding.

As a global Christian humanitarian organization working in some of the world’s most difficult places, World Vision has spent more than 75 years walking alongside families who choose hope despite hunger, conflict, poverty, and loss. This close, lived proximity gives us unique insight, not to spotlight ourselves, but to speak honestly about Christian faith and resilience, and the small, significant ways people rise again.

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” — Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)  

This verse reminds us that renewal is possible, even when we feel overwhelmed.

As followers of Jesus, we believe our hope doesn’t rise and fall with the news cycle. We trust in a God who restores, renews, and transforms even the most desperate situations and who invites us to join Him through prayer, compassion, and faithful action. When we look closely, we can already see stories of hope and transformation rooted in Christian faith and resilience unfolding around the world. Together, these stories and reflections point to tangible examples of God’s presence at work through His people in 2026 and beyond.

• Real-life stories of hope in hard times
• Bible verses about hope in hard times
• Frequently asked questions about hope

Real-life stories of hope in hard times

Emergency food aid brings hope

As droughts, conflict, and inflation push food insecurity and hunger to alarming levels, families are still finding reasons to hope. Through partnership with the World Food Programme, emergency food and nutrition assistance reached 11.9 million people in 2024, including 7 million children across 33 countries.

Hope grows in these hard places: a child eating her first full meal in days, a family receiving grain that carries them through the season, a community rebuilding food systems strengthened by prayer, compassion, and local leadership.

Clean water creates hope in hard times

Access to clean water transforms everything. In Ghana, 8-year-olds Nahimatu and Salamatu (pictured above) no longer walk long distances to gather water. Thanks to a new borehole, they attend school consistently and dream bigger dreams — a clear example of hope in hard times.

Since 2011, World Vision has helped 37.5 million people gain lasting access to clean water. Today, we are reaching:

• One new person with clean water every 10 seconds
• One new person with a handwashing facility every 10 seconds

This is Christian faith and resilience expressed through action. Together, we can help bring clean water and hope to more communities around the world.

Nutrition support helps families begin again

Children who once struggled to survive are now growing strong and reaching milestones. Through therapeutic nutrition programs, nine in 10 severely malnourished children treated by World Vision recover fully. Over 180,700 children under 5 were treated for acute malnutrition, with more than 86% having recovered completely. Innovations like a low-cost, triple-laser device, co-developed with Magpie Tech, for early detection of malnutrition are also aiding in saving lives. A child gaining weight, a mother exhaling in relief, and a community rejoicing are among the powerful reasons to hope.

Safer births for mothers and babies

Globally, maternal health continues to improve. In 2025, more than 85% of women gave birth with skilled medical assistance, up from 80% just a few years earlier. In 2024 alone, World Vision supported more than 40,600 pregnant and breastfeeding women through targeted nutrition programs. Each safe delivery represents new life, dignity, and hope restored.

Girls leading the way toward a brighter future

In Kenya and Bangladesh, World Vision’s Big Dream to End Child Marriage is empowering girls and women and strengthening families. Since 2023, more than 18,000 girls have been supported through education, mentorship, and protection programs.

Girls like Viola, a 16-year-old from South Sudan are finding their voices and shaping their futures.

By 2030, we aim to reach 660,000 people, including nearly 170,000 girls. Another 1.2 million people are expected to benefit indirectly as communities experience improved social, health, and economic conditions.

These stories of hope and transformation show what’s possible when communities confront harmful traditions with courage and faith.

Children with disabilities overcoming barriers

Every child deserves the chance to learn and thrive. In Senegal, Boubakar, 7, and his 15-year-old sister, Mariama, have grown up facing disabilities and the stigma that often comes with them. Boubakar was born with a physical disability, while untreated fractures from infancy have affected Mariama’s legs. After losing both parents, the children were taken in by their stepmother.

Their lives began to change when World Vision started working in their community. Through awareness and engagement efforts, attitudes shifted.

“The community now has greater consideration for us,” said Mariama. “Children living with disabilities are no longer rejected or hidden away.”

Through World Vision’s child sponsorship program, Boubakar received a wheelchair (pictured above), a turning point for the family. His life changed, as did Mariama’s. “Before, he had to crawl,” Mariama said. “Now he can move freely and play with his friends.”

World Vision has also supported the family with food, livestock, and regular visits, helping restore dignity and resilience during difficult seasons.

Since 2021, sponsorship for children with disabilities has grown 53%, now reaching nearly 20,000 children globally.

Children in crisis find safety and comfort

From conflict in Sudan and Ukraine, and natural disasters in Afghanistan and Jamaica, children face growing risks. In response, World Vision reached more than 35 million people in 65 countries in 2025 with food, water, protection, education, and emergency relief.

During a crisis, safe spaces, compassionate care, and faithful presence offer hope in hard times.

Faith flourishing through Biblical empowerment

Through Biblical Empowered Worldview programs, more than 425,000 people engaged in faith formation in 2024. Yessica, who once worked in a mine as a child, is now a successful coffee farmer and community leader in Honduras.

Her life reflects a powerful truth: when people understand who they are in God, hope becomes unstoppable.

Sponsorship programs supporting dreams

In Ghana, 9-year-old Alberta once feared reading aloud. Through a World Vision child sponsorship-supported reading club, she gained confidence and now dreams of becoming a nurse. In 2025, approximately 2.3 million children were supported through child sponsorship programs worldwide.

Sponsorship opens doors to education, health, spiritual nurture, and long-term hope in hard times.

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Bible verses about hope in hard times

When hope feels fragile, Scripture reminds us of God’s faithfulness, presence, and promises.

Proverbs 4:18 (NIV)

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining even brighter till the full light of day.

Reflect: Even when the night feels long, this verse reminds us how our hope grows brighter, even after long seasons of darkness.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, … “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Reflect: God promises assure us that our lives are still held by purpose and hope in uncertain times ahead.

Romans 5:3-4 (NIV)

Not only so, but w also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Reflect: Even in difficult seasons can shape us, deepening a kind of hope that endures.

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Reflect: When we are feeling down, God provides renewed strength for heavy hearts facing difficulties.

Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Reflect: This verse reminds us that God offers steady presence and protection in times of trouble.

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Reflect: Faith holds on when circumstances feel overwhelming.

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.

Reflect: God invites us to release fear and worry into His care, knowing we are lovingly held.

Romans 15:4 (NIV)

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

Reflect: We find both strength and encouragement to keep going, even when the road is long.

Psalm 23:4 (NIV)

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Reflect: God’s comforting presence when the path feels frightening and uncertain.

Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Reflect: Our hope in God lasts when weakness and weariness take hold.

Psalm 107:9 (NIV)

for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. 

Reflect: God cares for our physical needs, and He provides in times of scarcity.

Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful; I know that full well.”

Reflect: This passage affirms God-given value and dignity over every life.

Romans 15:13 (NIV)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Reflect: We are reminded that our true hope is rooted in God, even when our circumstances seem unclear.

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Frequently asked questions about hope

What are some reasons to hope?

Even in hard times, hope is found in courage, compassion, and everyday acts of faith. In the hardest seasons, there are real reasons to hope. Hope appears in everyday acts of sacrifice — through parents rebuilding after loss, children learning despite adversity, and communities choosing compassion over despair. These moments remind us that darkness never has the final word.

How can we be hopeful in hard times?

Hope in hard times begins and grows through prayer, perspective, and faithful action. Hope doesn’t deny pain; it propels us take the next faithful step forward, trusting God to meet us there.

Why is hope important?

Hope sustains resilience, strengthens faith, and inspires action in difficult seasons.

Hope carries people through adversity. It fuels perseverance, inspires action, and builds resilience when circumstances feel overwhelming.

What are some reasons to hope today?

Even in difficult seasons, there are real reasons to hope. Hope is found in faith in action, resilient communities, and lives being transformed through compassion and care.

How can I find hope in hard times?

Hope in hard times grows through prayer, perspective, connection, and taking small, faithful steps that can help restore perspective and strength. It doesn’t deny pain but helps people take the next step forward with trust in God.

Why is hope important in the Christian faith?

Christian hope is rooted in God’s promises, not circumstances, offering assurance that restoration is always possible. Hope sustains resilience and perseverance in the face of hardship.

Where do I turn when I need hope today?

• Prayer and reflection: Connect with God through prayer and Scripture
• Community and church: Walk alongside others in faith
• Giving and volunteering: Support programs that transform lives
• Sponsorship: Invest in a child’s future and a family’s hope
• Stories: Let real-life stories of faith and resilience remind you that hope is alive

Even now, there are still real, powerful reasons to hope, and they are unfolding every day through faith, compassion, and love.

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Lalanii Rochelle of World Vision in the U.S. contributed to this article.

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Children deserve to grow up in safety and love. But in some parts of the world, danger shadows every moment of childhood. These are not just risky places for travelers — they’re home to millions of children who wake up each day surrounded by war, hunger, and instability.

Below, we highlight 10 of the most dangerous places for children today, along with their stories of courage and resilience. Throughout our 75 years of work, we’ve seen one truth in the hardest places to be a child: danger is constant — but so is hope.

The top 10 most dangerous places

Click a country name to go directly to its section. In alphabetical order:

• Afghanistan
• Central African Republic
• Colombia
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Gaza and the West Bank
• Haiti
• Myanmar
• Sudan
• Syria
• Yemen

Frequently asked questions

• What is the most dangerous country for children in 2025?
• Why are these countries dangerous for children?
• How does World Vision help children in conflict zones?
• How can I help children living in the world’s most dangerous places?

Afghanistan

Children and families in Afghanistan face daily life marked by hunger and hidden dangers. These challenges include:

• Political instability
• Limited access to healthcare, education, and employment
• Severe restrictions on women’s rights
• Malnutrition and widespread drought
• Unexploded weapons ordnance threatening lives

“We had no idea that land was dangerous. These are lands our families have farmed for generations. Our children played there all the time. No one warned us,” said Sharafuddin, whose sons, 12-year-old Salahuddin and 10-year-old Najmuddin, were killed by a mine while playing on their family farm in May 2025.

“I had so many hopes for them. In one moment, everything collapsed,” says Sharafuddin.

Afghanistan is one of the most heavily mine-contaminated countries in the world.

“The risk is real. Our teams have unknowingly driven over UXOs [Unexploded Explosive Ordnance] before, thankfully, without incident. But with no comprehensive maps or warning systems in place, the threat is everywhere,” said Hayatullah Tayeeq, World Vision’s zonal manager in Badghis, Afghanistan. “It hasn’t stopped us from delivering aid, but it adds an invisible layer of danger to every field visit.”

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Central African Republic (CAR)

The Central African Republic has faced decades of violent uprisings and broken peace deals. Since 2013, ongoing conflict and instability have displaced millions of people. The ongoing challenges include:

• Protracted conflict has led to widespread violence, insecurity, and displacement.
• Approximately 79% of the population lives in extreme poverty.
• Grave violations against children are among the highest in the world, including:
  • Recruitment and use by armed groups
  • Abduction
  • Sexual violence
• One of the world’s highest child mortality rates due to preventable diseases, hunger, and lack of healthcare.

Children like Richard (pictured above) in the CAR face staggering challenges, including one of the highest child mortality rates in the world. In displacement camps, their most urgent needs are food, water, and shelter. But as settlements become more established, recovery begins — and so does education, often under tarps or in makeshift classrooms.

That’s when a birth certificate becomes crucial.

“I’m happy to receive the birth certificate because it helps me to be recognized. To be someone,” said Richard.

Without legal documentation, children cannot take national exams, graduate from school, or obtain an ID or passport. Birth certificates open doors to opportunity — and affirm a child’s identity and future.

“The importance of a birth certificate is that it allows you to take an exam, like the B.E.C., or earn a diploma, or get a passport. It affirms who I am,” he said.

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Colombia

As the primary host country for Venezuelan refugees and migrants, Colombia has become one of the most dangerous places for children affected by the regional migration crisis. Instead of finding safety there, many face new dangers:

• Recruitment by armed groups
• Gender-based violence and sexual exploitation
• Trafficking and family separation
• Lack of access to education, healthcare, and shelter
• Psychological trauma from violence and displacement

Armed conflict, violence, displacement, and humanitarian gaps have created multiple layers of risk, particularly in border and conflict-affected regions like Catatumbo.

More than 2.8 million Venezuelans, including 800,000 children, are living in Colombia. Children describe life in Colombia’s conflict zones as terrifying. Aime, a 14-year-old from Venezuela, told UNICEF, “We can’t leave our houses after 9 p.m. We can’t even go to the store because of the fear that they’ll take us away or they will recruit us. Young people are taken, without understanding what they are going to do to them. They are taken by force.”

“Entire families, including children and adolescents, have been forced to leave their homes in search of refuge in other parts of the country and at the border with Venezuela,” said Peter Gape, national director for World Vision in Colombia and Venezuela. “We ask for your prayers for those suffering from this crisis, for our team working tirelessly to provide humanitarian aid, and for a prompt resolution that brings peace and hope to the affected communities.”

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Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

In the eastern DRC, spikes in violence are a continual threat, especially against children. The United Nations reports that children are being recruited and armed, which is a grave violation of international law. In South Kivu, thousands have been displaced, and millions of children face increased risks of exploitation, trauma, hunger, and disease outbreaks. The ongoing challenges include:

• Over 15 million children live in instability.
• A deadly cholera epidemic has spread across six provinces, with more than 18,000 cases and 364 deaths reported since January 2025.
• Flooding and unsafe water increase the threat of illness
• In mining provinces like Lualaba and Haut-Katanga, child labor is widespread. Tens of thousands of children work in cobalt and copper extraction.

In towns like Kakanda, children as young as 6 work to support their families by selling food on the streets, carrying water, or caring for younger siblings. Children like the young girl shown above dig through toxic rubble with their bare hands, hoping to earn enough for a meal. Without safety gear, they risk injury, illness, or even death. Eleven-year-old Chantal* (not pictured) began working in the mines at age 9 after her father died. “I haven’t been to school in three months,” says Chantal*, who cooks and cleans for her family instead of attending class. “Sometimes I was so tired I’d fall asleep on the ground, right among the rocks,” she says.

Though Congolese law prohibits underage labor in mining, extreme poverty forces many families to rely on income from their children. Most earn less than $2 a day.

*Names changed to protect identity

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Gaza and the West Bank

Children in Gaza face unparalleled hardships, with no safe place to seek refuge amid a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Movement restrictions and displacements are causing a spiraling economic crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, as families are unable to harvest crops and have depleted their savings. Many people in the West Bank are experiencing acute food insecurity, with nearly half a million facing severe hunger. Since January 2025, an escalation of armed violence has devastated cities across the northern West Bank, displacing over 40,000 people, destroying homes, and forcing dozens of schools to close. The ongoing challenges include:

• Death and injury from armed conflict, famine conditions, severe malnutrition, and starvation.
• Access to food, clean water, and medical care is severely limited.
• Trauma and protection risks rise for children, especially those separated from their families.

World Vision currently operates in the West Bank and broader Middle East region, providing emergency humanitarian aid and support.

Suha, a 30-year-old mother from the Tulkarem Refugee Camp in the northern West Bank, never imagined she would be uprooted from her home with nothing but a few clothes for her daughter.

“We had a routine, a home, and hope,” she says. But when her family was ordered to leave, they had minutes to pack. Later, when Suha and her husband returned to retrieve their belongings, they were shot at. “We had to run for our lives. We left everything behind in the street.”

Suha, her husband, and daughter first found shelter in an overcrowded family home before moving in with her parents. Her husband is now unemployed, and the family relies entirely on humanitarian aid.

“It breaks our hearts,” Suha says. “We feel ashamed to ask for help, but we have no other choice.”

Suha has not yet been able to re-enroll her daughter in kindergarten due to financial hardship. The family’s future remains uncertain.

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Haiti

Horrific violence, political collapse, and natural disasters, including Hurricane Melissa in late October 2025, have pushed Haiti into a free fall. Armed groups control large parts of the capital, cutting families off from food and medical care. The major challenges include:

• Over 5 million people need humanitarian assistance.
• Over 1 million people face emergency levels of food insecurity.
• Gang violence, kidnappings, and sexual violence are widespread.
• Earthquakes and extreme storms further destabilize vulnerable communities.

Wista, a small business owner, fled with her 5-year-old daughter, Judenie (both pictured above), after gangs threatened to overrun their community. “I had no choice but to leave everything behind,” Wista said. Their journey to safety involved crossing rivers, accidents, and days on foot.

“The little girl walked and walked for miles, but she found the strength in God to continue. I was in pain. We crossed rivers on a small canoe,” Wista said. They traveled on motorcycles that crashed into rocks. “I wanted to lie down in the bushes and sleep forever. But I kept thinking of my daughter and the need to protect her.”

At a shelter, Wista was too weak to eat or drink. Judenie, missing her school and friends, said quietly, “I was scared and tired. But Mama said we have to move.” “

Though they escaped the violence, the trauma remains. Wista reflected, “All I wanted was to protect my daughter and survive. But I never imagined how hard the road would be.”

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Myanmar

Children in Myanmar are experiencing a deepening humanitarian crisis marked by displacement, violence, and hunger. The situation has been exacerbated by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake on March 28, 2025, near Mandalay and Sagaing, causing widespread destruction. The major challenges include:

• More than 3,100 people have died, and over 4,800 are injured.
• Thousands of homes, schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges have been damaged or destroyed, cutting off access to essential services. 
• Food insecurity, already high, has worsened as the quake further restricted access to food and clean water.
• Natural disasters, including flooding and cyclones, continue to challenge communities, compounding risks during crises.

Children like Alinka had their lives turned upside down in seconds.

“I was playing when the earthquake hit,” says Alinka from one of the hardest-hit areas near Mandalay. The walls shook violently, and as she clung to a door, it collapsed on her. Alinka broke her leg and needed surgery to recover.

About 50 homes in their village were destroyed, along with the school, the local monastery, and the community water supply. Families have slept outside, fearful of aftershocks.

The disaster has also disrupted livelihoods. Alinka’s family, who sell goods in the market, are struggling with rising prices and damaged roads.

“With monsoon season around the corner, the threat of diseases like diarrhea and dengue is growing fast. Children’s lives are still at risk. We need your help now more than ever to ensure the most vulnerable children are not forgotten,” said Dr. Kyi Minn, World Vision’s national director in Myanmar.

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Sudan

Conflict has engulfed Sudan since April 2023, forcing millions from their homes and plunging the country into a deepening humanitarian crisis. The challenges include:

• An estimated 14.6 million people fled their communities — the world’s largest displacement crisis
• Widespread violence, including sexual violence against women and girls
• Acute hunger affecting over 17 million people
• Deadly cholera outbreak spreading across 17 of 18 states

Conflict has forced families to flee with little more than the clothes on their backs. In Port Sudan, World Vision supports displaced communities with essentials like access to clean water, shelter kits, psychosocial support, and more. But insecurity continues to limit humanitarian access, even as a deadly cholera outbreak spreads, endangering already vulnerable children and families.

Sinein and his mother, Assanea, are the only survivors of their family after fleeing conflict in Sudan.

“I lost my children and my husband, who was my backbone. …” Assanea said. After seeking safety in Chad, they face the heartbreak of starting over. “If I found a secure place to stay, that is enough for me. I can’t go home — there’s no one and nothing there for me.”

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Syria

Syria remains one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a child — not only because of violence, but because of the invisible, long-lasting wounds of displacement and trauma. The challenges include:

• More than 14 years of war and widespread displacement.
• Devastating earthquakes in 2023 destroyed homes, schools, and healthcare centers.
• Return of refugees to a conflict-ridden country.
• Malnutrition and water scarcity.
• Protection threats: exploitation, abuse, and loss of education.

In early 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck both Syria and Turkey (officially the Republic of Türkiye), affecting nearly 9 million people who had already been impacted by war and displacement. In southern Türkiye, near the Syrian border, thousands of Syrian refugees, many fleeing conflict for over a decade, lived through destruction once more.

Sara (pictured above) is among those affected by displacement. The Syrian teen has lived in Şanlıurfa, Turkey, for 13 years and has experienced many struggles of displacement. She recalled one fire that swept through her last displacement camp. “I still remember how it roared through container by container.… That day was so hard.”

Through initiatives like the LIFT Project, World Vision is helping young survivors like Sara rebuild their inner worlds and rediscover joy, connection, and hope.

Sara stepped into the role of a facilitator on April 23, 2025, painting children’s faces and spreading smiles. “I want to go back to school next year and become a doctor — a child doctor — to help kids like me everywhere,” she said.

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Yemen

Nearly a decade of conflict. Yemen’s children face one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, marked by hunger, disease, and collapsing health systems. The challenges include:

• Ongoing airstrikes and conflict continue to endanger lives.
• Four out of 5 children need humanitarian assistance.
• 3.2 million children are out of school and at risk of exploitation.
• Millions of people lack access to safe water and sanitation.

Hamdi, a nurse at a World Vision–supported clinic in Al Milah District, Lahj Governorate, says poverty is the No. 1 enemy. Many families must skip meals, and a lack of nutrition knowledge also contributes to child malnutrition, Hamdi said.

Since World Vision and partner organization Medair began their outreach, community health has improved. Parents are learning to spot and treat malnutrition early, helping turn despair into hope.

Hadi, the clinic manager, added: “With the support of World Vision and Medair, the clinic became a vital hub for food and medical assistance.”

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Frequently asked questions

What is the most dangerous country for children in 2025?

While all 10 countries listed face extreme threats, Gaza, Sudan, and Yemen are experiencing some of the worst humanitarian conditions, including severe hunger, displacement, and the collapse of essential services.

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Why are these countries dangerous for children?

These countries are marked by armed conflict, forced displacement, hunger, disease outbreaks, and limited access to education and protection. Children are at risk of recruitment by armed groups, trafficking, malnutrition, and even death.

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How does World Vision help children in conflict zones?

World Vision works in many of the world’s most fragile countries to provide lifesaving assistance, including access to clean water, nutritious food, healthcare, psychosocial support, and child protection programs.

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How can I help children living in the world’s most dangerous places?

You can support children in crisis by:

• Giving: Your gift can deliver hope and practical help to children and families when disasters and conflict strike in the most dangerous places.
• Sponsoring a child: Help equip a child, their family, and community for a brighter future. Sponsorship helps meet urgent needs today — and supports lasting empowerment through physical and spiritual resources.

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*The following list was compiled using the latest data from humanitarian agencies and global monitoring organizations, including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP). World Vision’s program insights and response updates from 2023 to 2025 also informed the selection. Countries were chosen based on the severity of threats facing children, including conflict, displacement, hunger, disease outbreaks, and barriers to education and protection. While this list highlights urgent but less-publicized crises, World Vision’s disaster relief efforts in major emergencies — including the Middle East crisis, war in Ukraine, and the Venezuela crisis — continue unabated.

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