What Is Famine: 10 Things You Need to Know
Learn more about how famine is defined, what declaring famine means for those children and families affected as well as what happens next.
153 Million Children Around the World Are Facing Food Insecurity
- Hunger drains a child's energy, silences their play and turns their dreams to dust
- However, hunger is not a lost cause. Globally, the number of people in famine-like conditions has almost halved
- Through Save the Children's work, we've supported 35 million children with hunger-related interventions
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783 million people don't know where their next meal will come from
1 in 5 deaths among children under the age of 5 is attributed to severe acute malnutrition
The triple threat of conflict, climate change and economic cost is fueling the hunger crisis
5 Things to Know About Child Hunger
As the climate crisis deepens, conflict escalates and the cost of living spirals out of control, children face the ever-growing threat of hunger.
A wave of floods, drought, storms and wildfires – driven by climate change – is devastating crops and livelihoods, leaving children without enough to eat.
A rising tide of conflict – from Ukraine to Mali – is forcing families from their homes, destroying farmland and creating tens of millions of refugees who struggle to get the food they need.
Economic turmoil has driven up prices, creating a cost-of-living crisis across the world –pushing the price of food beyond the reach of many families.
This triple threat is feeding hunger, and it is children – especially girls – who are worst hit.
Kids can't be hungry for knowledge if they are hungry for food.
Hungry children are more likely to have lower math scores, repeat a grade, come to school late, or miss school entirely.
Without enough food or the right nutrition, children can’t learn, play, or sleep.
While they should be exploring with their friends, or expanding their minds in class, instead too many are worrying about where their next meal will come from, or if their younger sibling will recover from malnutrition.
It is estimated that 1 in 8 children in America were food insecure in 2021, which means they lacked consistent access to enough food for a healthy, active life.
In rural America, that number jumps to 1 in 5 children. Child hunger is worse in rural
90% of counties with the highest child food insecurity rates are rural.
Without enough to eat and the right nutritional balance, children are at high risk of becoming acutely malnourished.
Up to 45 million children are facing acute malnutrition worldwide right now, with at least 13.7 million children severely acutely malnourished.
Around 80% of these children currently are not able to access the treatment they need to get better.
Our Response to the Global Hunger Crisis
Through working with local communities and governments, our response to world hunger is tackling acute and chronic food security needs. Last year, we supported over 35 million children with hunger-related interventions.
750,557 children across nine hunger-affected countries received treatment for acute malnutrition
608,104 pregnant and lactating women and caregivers were counselled on infant and young child feeding
943,560 children and their families were supported to protect their livelihoods, especially those affected by climate change
21,567 community health workers and healthcare providers were trained
1,385,222 children and households were supported with cash and voucher assistance.
1,170,975 children and adults in 1,756 communities were supported through culturally appropriate social behavior change initiatives
Together, We Can Break the Cycle of Poverty and Feed Children’s Futures
Many families live trapped in a cycle of extreme poverty. Undernourished mothers are more likely to have undernourished children, the effects of which are devastating. But when families and children eat well, they are better equipped to pull themselves out of the cycle of poverty.
Hunger is not a lost cause. Globally, the number of people in famine-like conditions has almost halved. Together, we can act now to break the poverty cycle and feed children’s futures. Your donation today can help children fight for their childhoods.
Related News and Features
Child Hunger in America
Learn more about child hunger in America, where nearly 1 in 8 children are food insecure. Save the Children is making a difference and you can join us.
What Is Malnutrition and How Does it Affect Children?
Learn what causes malnutrition in children. Malnutrition can occur in children of all ages, but young children are the most vulnerable.
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