ACRIF is one of the leading child rights organizations in Africa with more than a decade of experience in child rights programming in the region. Our programs focus on the needs of the most vulnerable populations, particularly children, adolescent girls, and women. Children, adolescent girls, and women are at the heart of ACRIF’s humanitarian and development efforts because our experience shows that their gains translate into benefits for families and communities. Our expensive reach and long-standing reputation as a leader in child rights distinguish us from other organizations.
We operate on the principle of recognizing and respecting children’s rights, and acknowledge that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
We collaborate with like-minded organizations, donors, and stakeholders. We consider all those individuals, communities, and organizations that join hands to better the lives of children as partners.
ACRIF strives to ensure fairness and importantly, advocates for structures, systems and processes that facilitate achievement of children’s rights. ACRIF strives to ensure justice and equal opportunity for all.
We strive to have a significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people. We challenge ourselves to be bold, responsive, focused, and innovative.
We relentlessly pursue to attain the highest standards in all that we do by encouraging those attitudes that sustain the interests of children above one’s own self interests.
We strive to maintain the highest standards of personal honesty and behavior; we preserve our reputation and consistently act in the best interests of children.
ACRIF takes a comprehensive and holistic approach to humanitarian and development programming. We use a system approach our commitment to systems and multi-sector approach to promote the good of every child and woman. Our commitment to the multi-sectoral approach is shared throughout our network and provides common ground for the development of agreed priorities and programs. We place great importance on building local capacity and long-term community resilience. Our approach inspires and empowers children and communities to create long-lasting change.
ACRIF’s strategic plan 2026—2030 focuses on achieving key programmatic breakthroughs for vulnerable children in the continent. Core Strategic Breakthroughs include:
HEALTHY STARTS: Ensuring infants, young children and mothers get vital healthcare and nutrition early in life.
SAFE LEARNING: Ensuring children receive a quality basic education, while keeping schools open, safe, and accessible to all.
SYSTEMIC CHILD PROTECTION: Establishing integrated child protection systems to safeguard children from violence, abuse, exploitation, and mistreatment.
CHILD-LED PARTICIPATION: Creating safe platforms to involve children directly in policy-making, and empowering them to become active drivers of change.
CLIMATE JUSTICE: Addressing environmental degradation as an immediate threat to a child's right to health and survival.
ADVOCACY & POLICY: Pressuring governments to close service gaps, address child poverty, and tackle climate change.
CAPACITY BUILDING: Training parents, local communities, and authorities to understand and respect child rights.
DIGITAL SAFETY: Protecting children from online exploitation while bridging the digital gender gap.
CRISIS RESPONSE: Safeguarding marginalized children during humanitarian emergencies.
ACRIF maintains a zero-tolerance policy against any form of child abuse, exploitation, neglect, or mistreatment by its staff, volunteers, Suppliers, partners, or representatives. The organization’s strict Child Safeguarding Policy ensures that all children, regardless of their gender and background, are kept safe from intentional or accidental harm across all programs and operations.
Over the past decade, ACRIF has earned numerous awards and recognitions for its commitment to creating brighter futures for underprivileged children.
Their Voices Deserve to Be Heard. Sign up for our newsletter and get updates on critical issues facing African children, and how you can help make a difference.
ACRIF (former ANPPCAN Somaliland) is a development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls and boys
