Across Somalia and the Horn of Africa, devastating drought, conflict and displacement have left families struggling to survive. Now, the threat of severe flooding linked to El Niño could push vulnerable communities even deeper into crisis.
This Christmas, you can help provide urgently needed food, clean water and emergency support to children and families facing unimaginable hardship.
Please give whatever you can today.
A mother with nothing to feed her children
Imagine having to pretend to cook dinner because you have no food to give your children.
For Awo Awale, a mother of two in Somalia, this was her heartbreaking reality.
After devastating drought destroyed her livelihood, Awo lost her livestock and was forced to flee her home. With nothing left to feed her children, she placed a pot of water over the fire and pretended she was cooking dinner.
"I put a pot on the fire with only water. When they saw the steam, they believed food was cooking. They fell asleep waiting."
Awo and her children now live in a makeshift shelter built from scraps of cloth and sticks, with little protection from the elements.
Like so many families across Somalia, they are struggling to survive. And now, the threat of further extreme weather could make their situation even worse.
No child should have to fall asleep hungry, waiting for a meal that will never come.
For families already facing hunger, another disaster could be devastating
Across Somalia and the Horn of Africa, families are facing the devastating consequences of prolonged drought, hunger, conflict and displacement.
Now, a strengthening El Niño weather event threatens to bring further extreme weather, increasing the risk of severe flooding.
Flooding can destroy crops, contaminate drinking water, damage homes and force families to flee. For children, the consequences can be devastating, disrupting their access to food, clean water, education and healthcare.
Eight-year-old Kuel knows what it means to lose everything to flooding.
When floods destroyed his family's crops and home, they were forced to flee, leaving them without shelter or enough food to eat.
"I miss my home ... When we migrated we didn't have a shelter. The mosquitos were biting us every night, and we didn't have any food."
For children like Kuel, flooding takes away more than homes. It takes away the safety, stability and security every child deserves.
But together, we can help families facing hunger today and prepare communities for the challenges ahead.
Your Christmas gift could save lives
World Vision is working alongside communities in Somalia to support families facing hunger and displacement, while helping them prepare for the threat of severe flooding.
Your donation could help provide food, clean water, shelter and emergency assistance, as well as support families to rebuild their livelihoods and become better prepared for future climate shocks.
Every gift matters.
Donate to help children when they're at their most vulnerable
Our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children, in the most difficult places, overcome poverty and experience fullness of life.
Survive
Too many children are on the edge of survival. Weak with hunger, at risk of disease, homeless. Your donation will help children survive with life-saving food, water, and shelter.
Recover
During a crisis, many children lose their loved ones, homes, and life as they once knew it. You can help children recover from trauma with counselling and specialist care.
Rebuild
It’s almost impossible to think about the future when you’re fighting for survival. You’ll give children a chance to rebuild their future – to learn, play, and enjoy being a child.
This Christmas, give the gift of hope
As families across Ireland gather around the Christmas dinner table, children like Awo's are facing another night without enough food.
Your kindness could help change that.
By giving to World Vision Ireland's Christmas Appeal, you could help provide life-saving food, clean water and vital emergency support to families facing hunger and crisis.
Children need food now. Your Christmas gift could save lives.
Donate to our Christmas Appeal today.
Frequently asked questions?
How are my donations spent?
Your donations will help children in the world's most dangerous places survive, through providing life's essentials like food, water and shelter; recover from trauma they experienced and equip them to rebuild their future. This ranges from the provision of life-saving essentials and healthcare, to counselling, play therapy and education for children.
Why should I make a monthly donation?
When you set up a regular donation, of whatever size, you're joining our community of dedicated supporters who want to make a long-last difference.
Your monthly donation enables us to act quickly when disaster hits and allows us to plan longer term responses for children and their communities.
Why should I support World Vision?
World Vision has over 70 years of experience working with communities, donors, partners and governments to bring better futures for vulnerable children, even in the toughest places. Thanks to our supporters globally, we work in almost 100 countries and have changed the lives of over 200 million children in the past five years alone. We help children of all backgrounds, inspired by our Christian faith.
When you make a donation to World Vision, you know your support will be used to create the greatest impact. We always work alongside communities, with a focus on the most vulnerable children.
Please donate to our charity online today to support the children in greatest need.
How can I be sure my money gets to those in need?
World Vision only works within countries where we have our own offices so we can be sure that we can account for all the money that we receive and how it is used.
We have audited accounts that are publicly available at any time. As a charity, we're regulated by the Irish Charities Regulator – a legal body, which oversees all Irish charities and their activities.
We are a not-for-profit organisation, and we know that the continued support we receive is dependent on our efficient use of supporters’ money. Our Annual Reports are available here.
Where in the world will my donation be used?
We work in almost 100 countries worldwide, including some of the most dangerous and hard-to-reach places like Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, South Sudan and Somalia. Your donations could be used in any of the places we are working - wherever the need is greatest. So whatever is happening in the world, you know your donations will help us reach the most vulnerable children, in the greatest need.