Global Livelihoods Sector Annual Report 2023

In this issue of the West & Central Africa Newsletter, we highlight the remarkable progress accomplished across our programmes throughout the year 2024, looking back on the trials and celebrating the triumphs.

Ending Child Marriage in Kenya: The Path Forward

The weeks following the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon have focused on assessments of the high humanitarian needs and economic costs. The conflict has caused massive destruction, displacing nearly 1.2 million people, with 179,000 still unable to return home due to safety concerns, destroyed infrastructure, and limited access to essential services. Though the number of people in formal shelters has dropped to 6,600, the strain on local communities and infrastructure continues to be overwhelming. The hardest-hit areas include Nabatieh and Tyre, where families with young children and elderly members face prolonged displacement are grappling with severe water shortages, unreliable electricity, and damaged facilities.

The pandemic hit vulnerable families the hardest, including children, women, and people with disabilities. Many struggled with worsening economic and social conditions, leading to poor mental and physical health. Routine vaccinations dropped, and access to healthcare services became more difficult. To address these issues and support the recovery of public health, the organisation has launched its first major healthcare initiative, focusing on strengthening Georgia's health and child protection systems. Family doctors and social workers, were trained on key health topics such as immunisation, Hepatitis, HIV prevention, HPV, TB, and STDs.

Severe flooding in Marsabit County during the March-May 2024 rains displaced over 6,000 people in Loiyangalani sub-county, damaging livelihoods, livestock, and infrastructure. Ongoing challenges include high food prices and disrupted transportation.

Discover how water scarcity impacts vulnerable communities like Odda in Moyale, where a broken borehole left residents without clean water, exposing them to risks such as health crises, economic instability, and even human trafficking.

This review supports World Vision’s Resilience Framework, highlighting key themes like conflict, COVID-19, climate change, and the HDP nexus in building resilient systems.

In 2022, Kitui and Tana River Counties endured severe droughts, impacting crops, water, and livelihoods. Through USAID-BHA-funded KIERP, World Vision Kenya built water sources and storage tanks to support schools and health centers, alleviating the crisis.

World Vision Lesotho, with USAID funding, launched the Emergency Food Assistance Project to provide cash aid to 2,595 drought-affected households, combating hunger and promoting resilience.