Save the Children Australia

January 26 is a date commonly referred to as “Australia Day”. But it does not unite Australia.  The day means many different things to many different people. For some it’s a day of survival. For others there is trauma. And others again want to use it as an opportunity for unity. However it is acknowledged, it is a time for truth telling, for listening, learning, and for supporting First Nations peoples and culture.  Racism and discrimination continue to have a profound impact on the lives of children growing up in Australia. This restricts the access they have to critical services and opportunities. We must do what we can to eradicate the impact that our colonial past has on current and future generations of children. To truly support First Nations peoples, take the time to learn the true history of this land—the stories of resistance, survival, and culture that continue today. Educate yourself, support a march, check in on your First Nations friends. Do what you can to create a safer and more equal Australia.

This International Day of Education, we're celebrating how learning can transform a child's life—no matter what obstacles they've been through. Sofaida*, a 14-year-old Rohingya refugee in Cox's Bazar, had trouble walking to and from school due to a developmental disability. But with the support of Humanity & Inclusion, Sofaida got rehabilitative care. She now studies at one of our Community Based Learning Facilities, where our teachers accommodate Sofaida and help her focus and succeed. She's walking confidently, learning quickly, and embracing her love of poetry. Every child, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the opportunity to learn and grow. We're proud to work with Education Cannot Wait (ECW) to make this possible.

The recent developments in Syria have created a historic turning point for children and their families, sparking optimism that their future will be defined by peace and opportunity. But nearly 14 years of conflict have left the country shattered, and the needs of children have never been greater. They have grown up knowing nothing but conflict and displacement. 16.7 million people need humanitarian assistance, with nearly half of them being children. This is the highest number of people in need since the beginning of the crisis. Save the Children has been working in Syria since 2012, providing life-saving assistance to children and their families.

2024 was the hottest year on record. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirms that temperatures last year were 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. The last 10 years have been the hottest years on Earth since record-keeping began, with temperatures rising each year. Save the Children has worked extensively with communities that have suffered extreme weather, drought, bushfires, and other products of the climate crisis. The way things are currently going, there is not nearly enough being done to curb rising temperatures and prevent far more severe climate catastrophes in the coming years. We call on the international community to take every step possible to reduce emissions and to build their solutions around the voices, needs, and futures of children.

All around the world, violence and conflict have forced families to flee their homes. Many children live in tents. All children deserve safety, education, health care, and a safe home. Save the Children helps provide these things to children with nowhere else to go.

Rael was in bed with her 4-day-old baby, Magen, when the earthquake hit Vanuatu in December. They both survived the earthquake unharmed. Save the Children has been helping Rael by keeping her 2-year-old son engaged in our Child Friendly Space where he can play, smile, and move on from the experience of the earthquake. Meanwhile, with our support, Rael is free to take care of her newborn and focus on rebuilding. Save the Children has established five Child Friendly Spaces in earthquake impacted communities, as well as distributing household essentials to families who have lost everything.

2024 was a challenging year to be a child. The world faced climate disasters, violent conflicts and widespread hunger. Through it all, our supporters helped us give children access to safe spaces to learn, provide food and medical support to overcome malnutrition, and help families survive and rebuild. Thank you for your compassion and support. Together we can continue to make a positive difference for even more children in 2025.

Save the Children Australia is saddened by the destruction and loss caused by the wildfires in Los Angeles. “Many children left home with only the clothes on their backs and will need our help for many months to come,” said Lucero Chavez Ramirez, director of Save the Children’s California programs. Australia is tragically familiar with increasingly devastating and deadly fires brought on by the climate crisis. In fact, all around the world, raging wildfires are increasing, and with them, the dangers posed to children. As we have done in the face of Australia's bushfires, Save the Children US is helping ensure essential supplies are getting to children and families in California impacted by the fires. This includes supplies like hygiene kits and caregiver kits – with flashlights, water bottles, blankets, portable chargers and more – and children’s activity kits so kids can be kids during stressful times.

Great news! Our partners at Oho are joining forces with Tennis Australia to enhance safeguarding measures, protecting children in Australian sport from abuse. It's been seven years since the Child Sex Abuse Royal Commission's final report, and we applaud Tennis Australia's commitment to child safety through background checks, safeguarding training, and mandatory compliance for staff and volunteers. We fully support efforts by organisations to shield young people from harm. With Oho's digital screening technology, we’re confident Tennis Australia will have an efficient, ongoing way to keep children safe.

Save the Children is relieved that the Government of Israel and Hamas have finally reached agreement to pause hostilities in Gaza after 15 months of siege and bombardment following the attacks on 7 October 2023. We welcome the agreement to release hostages, including children, and we hope it offers the first step towards the peace, protection and accountability that children deserve. It is time to end the siege on Gaza and allow far more aid to be delivered to the families there, including shelter, food and medical supplies. It is also time for the international community to ensure accountability for the atrocities children have endured throughout the region. This must never happen again.