ChildFund and War Child to forge new partnership, combine strengths

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Information:

Cheri Dahl
CDahl@ChildFund.org
804-937-6239

ChildFund and War Child to forge new partnership, combine strengths

Richmond, Virginia (November 17, 2021) – ChildFund International is pleased to announce its new partnership with War Child Holland. The two organizations intend to combine forces in their shared aim to reach and protect more children in volatile situations such as conflict, disaster and displacement.

Both organizations emphasize strategic partnership to reach more children in need. ChildFund is part of ChildFund Alliance, a global network of 12 child-focused development organizations reaching nearly 23 million children and family members. War Child has embarked in recent months on several global strategic partnerships, including ChildFund, SOS Children’s Villages and BRAC International, in a bid to capitalize on shared strengths.

Paul Bode, VP global operations for ChildFund, said the partnership would help both parties to maintain, regulate and build concrete initiatives. The NGOs will explore joint fundraising, connected technical capabilities and data-based research programs to help children in such countries as South Sudan, Colombia and Uganda.

ChildFund currently reaches in the region of 13 million children and family members a year, with an ambition to increase that number to 100 million by 2030. “It’s not only about reach, but also showing impact and difference to children,” said Bode. “We can’t do this without significantly building our capacity and our humanitarian arm.”

“Through this partnership with ChildFund,” said Vladimir Hernandez, War Child partnership coordinator, “we hope to harness each other’s expertise, deliver quality and holistic services, and streamline service delivery in locations where War Child and ChildFund are likely to have the greatest impact.”

Hernandez said the two organizations complement each other’s work in early childhood initiatives, peace building and child protection, as well as education and mental health/psychosocial support.

“Where we each have similar tools, we will share our experience and create new business models for interventions and humanitarian response,” he said.

Teamed up, the two organizations hope to double their advocacy and fundraising efforts, knowledge building and training activities.

In addition to their scaling ambitions, the two organizations share much in common, with War Child’s focus on children in conflict and ChildFund’s on children experiencing deprivation, vulnerability and exclusion, as well as those affected by humanitarian crisis.

Said Hernandez: “Our overall goal is that increasing numbers of children and youth will access quality programs – incorporating vital child protection, education and psychosocial support – and as a result enjoy improved psychosocial well-being.”

Bode added, “We have an opportunity to find out what is best for both organizations, but above all for the children. It’s great to be among friends.”

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ChildFund

Founded in 1938, ChildFund International works in 24 countries throughout Asia, Africa and the Americas to connect children with what they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe. They emphasize child protection throughout their programming because violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect can reverse developmental gains in an instant.

War Child Holland

War Child works exclusively to improve the resilience and well-being of children living with violence and armed conflict. Currently in its 25^th year, the NGO delivers child protection, education and psychosocial support. Its data-based programs and partnerships contribute to children’s physical and mental well-being.