Maternal health care in Misamfu, a rural community in Kasama District, has received a much-needed boost, thanks to the Survive to Thrive project by World Vision Zambia. This initiative has transformed the Misamfu Rural Health Post through the installation of a mechanized water system and the construction of a modern ablution block, making safe maternal health services a reality for expectant mothers in the area.

The World Vision Zambia Health programme focuses on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAHN). The aim of the programme is to improve the health status of pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under the age of five. Our strategic objective for health is to contribute to the reduction of maternal and child mortality through improved health and nutrition practices. The heart of World Vision’s Global Health and Nutrition Strategy is a package of preventative interventions for mothers and children under two, targeting the first 1,000-days.

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.

For Chipo Chapatarongo, a 48-year-old mother of seven in Makoma village, Nyanga North, fetching water was once a daily ordeal fraught with challenges.

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.

This paper outlines World Vision’s multisectoral resilience framework, focusing on agri-food, health, and social protection systems in shaping resilience outcomes.

We are a group of four researchers from the Huaphanh province / Xamnuea district in Laos who conducted a quantitative study on the impacts of climate change and disasters on children in our communities. In recent years, our communities in the high mountains have faced many natural disasters.

Unaccompanied Syrian children in need of mental health support