In the past year, we’ve seen major cuts to foreign aid budgets by governments around the world, even as global instability deepens. Humanitarian need is rising, while the resources available to meet it are shrinking. In that context, our work, and how we do it, is more vital than ever. In 2026, Save the Children will keep children at the heart of every response. We’ll advocate for their rights and ensure their voices are heard.
Entering 2026, it can be hard to feel optimistic. Around the world, children continue to face extraordinary and growing challenges. More than 200 million children will need humanitarian assistance across 133 countries and territories this year alone.
Today, more than 520 million children are living in conflict. A further 251 million are out of school, and 4.9 million children under five die each year from preventable causes.
Behind these numbers are children in places like Afghanistan, Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine whose lives are being shaped by conflict, hunger, displacement and climate shocks every day, and often all at once.
In the past year, we’ve seen major cuts to foreign aid budgets by governments around the world, even as global instability deepens. Humanitarian need is rising, while the resources available to meet it are shrinking. In that context, our work, and how we do it, is more vital than ever.
Samah*, 14, in her classroom. Samah from Taiz, Yemen, has grown up amid years of conflict that disrupted her education and endangered her safety. Her school was repeatedly damaged by shelling, forcing classes to move to temporary buildings. Despite these challenges, she remains determined to continue her studies and advocates for safe schools and children’s right to education. AHMED ALBASHA/ Save the Children
I want to defend [Children’s] rights and demand their right to a dignified life, full of learning and joy, far from sadness, death, and destruction.
These are the words of Samah*, 14, from Taiz, Yemen. Samah* has grown up amid years of conflict that disrupted her education and endangered her safety. Her school was repeatedly damaged by shelling, forcing classes to move to temporary buildings. Despite these challenges, she remains determined to continue her studies and advocates for safe schools and children’s right to education.
Samah’s words and spirit are an inspiration to us all.
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A time of change
Against this backdrop, Save the Children has launched its Humanitarian Plan for 2026: Reforming aid, renewing hope.
The plan sets out how we will protect children’s rights at a time when the wider humanitarian system is undergoing major reform through the Humanitarian Reset – a UN-led effort to cut bureaucracy, prioritise life-saving action, and shift decision- making closer to affected communities.
In this context, we are redoubling our efforts to champion local leadership, expand anticipatory approaches, uphold humanitarian principles, and deliver high-quality, child-focused humanitarian responses where they are needed most.
A cargo plane carrying 40 metric tonnes of essential medical supplies, including medicines, medical equipment and therapeutic food arrives at Port Sudan. Hamid Abdulsalam/Save the Children
OUR 2026 plan to protect children in a nutshell
This year, we aim to raise $687.9 million to reach 17.8 million people, including 10.1 million children, across 45 countries, helping them to stay safe, healthy and learning.
To deliver on these goals in a changing humanitarian landscape, three priorities will guide everything we do.
1. Shifting power to communities and local actors
Local and national actors are often the first to respond in a crisis. They know the culture, context, and needs better than anyone—and they stay long after international agencies leave. We know connecting with communities and local partners and complementing their strengths makes humanitarian action faster, more trusted and effective.
That’s why, in 2026, Save the Children will go beyond commitments and make tangible shifts in how we work. We will step back from competing for funding intended for local and national actors, increase the share of funding flowing directly to local partners, and support child-led, youth-led and women-led organisations to shape, lead and coordinate responses.
From education and nutrition to protection and cash assistance, shifting power closer to affected communities is not only more equitable, it leads to stronger, more sustainable outcomes for children.
2. Making every dollar count
As humanitarian funding declines, we must find smarter ways to act.
We’ll expand anticipatory action — using risk data and early warning systems to act before crises escalate. Evidence shows that every dollar spent in advance can save up to seven dollars later, while protecting lives and livelihoods and reducing long-term harm.
Flexible funding through Save the Children’s Emergency Fund will remain central to this approach, enabling rapid responses within hours of emergencies and supporting innovation in fast-moving crises like Gaza, Sudan and Afghanistan.
3. Principled humanitarian action
Delivering aid is becoming harder. Conflicts are constraining access, politics are influencing where help goes, and children’s unique rights are being violated with impunity. That’s why, it’s more vital than ever to uphold humanitarian principles, which means putting children and families first, staying neutral, and making sure help reaches those who need it most—without discrimination or political agendas.
In 2026, Save the Children will keep children at the heart of every response. We’ll advocate for their rights and ensure their voices are heard in decisions that affect them. We will strengthen child protection systems, expand psychosocial support, prevent gender-based violence, and hold perpetrators of grave violations to account.
Most importantly, we’ll not only be accountable to children in every decision and action we take, but we’ll be led by them as active participants who can help shape solutions and build the future they deserve.
Looking ahead with hope
With smarter funding, stronger partnerships and meaningful reform, a different future is possible. As we look ahead to 2026, hope must be matched with action. Children deserve more than survival in crisis - they deserve safety, dignity and the chance to shape their own futures.
