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

25/03/2026

Janbein, Programme Director for International Lebanon speaks to about the turmoil in Lebanon amidst the Israeli strikes.

“The space of safety in Lebanon is decreasing.” she says. "1 in 5 people in Lebanon is now displaced. A mother who urgently needs support. A child who has lost access to everything. A father trying to keep his family safe."

Plan International teams are on the ground ensuring children and families, cut off by damaged roads and destroyed bridges, can still access food, water, and life‑saving essentials. But the needs keep rising.

"As the crisis grows with no light at the end of the tunnel, we need urgent, sustained support to keep delivering life‑saving aid." says Alam.

🎧 Hear more of her powerful interview here https://lnkd.in/dSGUbNcj

💛 Support the campaign and response by Plan International Ireland at plan.ie

12/03/2026

Schools must never be targets. Whether in Sudan, Ukraine or Iran, children are dying in classrooms worldwide while seeking education - a fundamental right that warring parties are bound to protect. These violations must end.

Children are dying in classrooms while seeking education. These violations must end.

04/03/2026

A new assessment by Plan International reveals a shocking reality: Sudan's girls are living in near-total isolation.

R**e, harassment, violence and the presence of armed groups confine them to their homes or makeshift camps, where they sometimes move no more than a few metres during the day.

They are faced with overwhelming caregiving duties, emotional stress and chronic fear, all while being cut off from school and healthcare services.

Key findings:
🔹 88.3% of girls know where to report gender-based violence (GBV), yet fear stigma and rarely seek help.

🔹 75% of adolescents are out of school, with girls being the most affected.

🔹 Only 3.3% of girls have access to menstrual health materials.

🔹 Early marriage and child labour are increasing

This is not just a protection crisis. It is an isolation crisis, robbing girls of their childhoods, opportunities and hope.

Plan International is calling for urgent action: safe spaces for girls only, GBV services centred around survivors, safe learning spaces, and meaningful participation for adolescents, especially girls.

We must not fail them.




With an increasing number of r**e and violence cases, girls report feeling safe only within the narrow confines of their homes or camps during the day. This limits their lives to just a few metres, essentially cutting them off from their previous lives.

02/03/2026

We remain deeply alarmed by the escalating conflict in Iran and the Middle East that has children paying the highest price.

Children must be protected at all times and should never be targets or casualties of war. Ever.

Plan International is deeply alarmed by the escalating military conflict in Iran and the Middle East which puts children at grave risk.

23/02/2026

The recent UN report lays bare the horror in El Fasher, that is facing an utterly catastrophic humanitarian emergency.

We continue calling on all armed actors in the conflict to immediately end and prevent the grave violations against children and guarantee the protection of civilians and humanitarian actors providing lifesaving support to the most affected, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law.

Plan International responds to UN El Fasher report, urging action on Sudan’s deepening humanitarian crisis.

10/02/2026

A new assessment has found that Somali women are sustaining their families through relentless drought, yet they still lack real decision-making power.

Somalia’s women are keeping families alive through relentless drought, but still lack real decision making power, new assessment finds

09/02/2026

Starvation is rising in - particularly in North Darfur. Children, women and displaced families are at greatest risk.

Together with 21 INGOs, we are calling for safe humanitarian access and increased funding to prevent further catastrophe.

The IPC has warned of famine-level acute malnutrition in two additional areas of North Darfur.

06/02/2026

Across Ethiopia’s Afar region, communities are challenging one of the most deeply rooted harmful practices: FGM. Parents, educators and young people are choosing to protect girls’ rights, often in the face of immense social pressure. Ending FGM requires collective action - and these families show that progress is not only possible, but already happening.
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06/02/2026

“One of my roles is as a facilitator in the mothers’ session, talking about FGM and child marriage. While conducting a session there was a mother who had planned to cut her daughter the next day. After the session she changed her mind.” Meet Maysa. This is her story 👇🏾

06/02/2026

FGM is a violation of girls’ and women’s human rights. It is a form of and seriously impacts their physical and mental health, as well as their life opportunities. Urgent efforts are needed to eliminate this harmful practice now

30/01/2026

With the start of the new school year in Mozambique now pushed to end of February, Plan International is deeply concerned that thousands of children are missing out on education as the flooding crisis continues to escalate.

We are deeply concerned that thousands of children are missing out on education in Mozambique as the flooding crisis continues to escalate.

31/12/2025

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last year and happy holidays to all those celebrating across the world!

As we look ahead to the coming year, our commitment to children’s rights and equality for girls remains strong.

We look forward to continuing to make a positive impact together.