Finn Church Aid and Lutheran World Federation join forces in Kenya and Somalia to strengthen humanitarian impact 

A group of people standing around two seated people at a table. The two seated people are smiling and shaking hands. In the background are the logos of FCA and LWF.
FCA and LWF announced the transition to a joint Kenya-Somalia programme in Nairobi on March 18th, 2026.

Finn Church Aid are uniting operations with the Lutheran World Federation in Kenya and Somalia to reach more vulnerable people, reduce costs, and build a stronger, joint humanitarian and development programme

THE PARTNERSHIP brings together two organisations with deeply aligned values: a commitment to human rights, justice, gender equality, climate action, and interfaith dialogue. The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), like Finn Church Aid (FCA), has an established presence in humanitarian and development work worldwide.

Global humanitarian funding is under significant pressure. By combining operations in Kenya and Somalia, both organisations will increase efficiency, reduce costs, and provide greater stability to the communities that need support most. 

“A joint approach will also strengthen readiness to expand and deepen commitments in Kenya, Somalia, and the wider region,” said FCA Executive Director Tomi Järvinen.  
 
FCA and LWF already have a long history of working together as partners and share values, such as upholding the human rights of every person, regardless of status, ethnicity, religion or gender.
 
Over the past months, FCA and LWF have taken part in in-depth discussions on how to work more closely together in Kenya and Somalia. The discussions were concluded during live meetings in Nairobi from March 16th to 19th 2026 in the presence of key government officials and representatives of longstanding funding partners.  

Two smiling people sit at a table. Behind them is a banner with the text, "LWF-FCA Joint Country Programme Memorandum of Understanding Signing"
FCA Executive Director, Tomi Järvinen and Maria Immonen, director of LWF World service – the humanitarian and development arm of the Lutheran World Federation – at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Nairobi, Kenya.

A detailed transition plan will be developed throughout the remainder of 2026. The full joint programme is set to launch in January 2027, with each organisation’s strengths reinforcing the other’s. 
 
Tomi Järvinen added: “we look forward to this next phase of collaboration and to growing together as we continue to serve communities of concern through a unified and strengthened programme.”

Photos: Björn Udd/FCA

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