Where there is hunger, may there be hope

As we prepare to celebrate World Food Day on October 16 — a day commemorating the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization — we’re calling on the world to open its eyes to the current global hunger crisis and the devastating impact on children. And not just to see it, but to respond in love to those who struggle.

For many of us, it’s hard to imagine the pain of watching our children miss meal after meal, of being unable to provide adequate food for our family. But this is real life for millions of people, driven to terrifying levels of food insecurity because of conflict, violence, displacement, extreme weather events, and economic shocks.

From Somalia to Sudan — and beyond

When 18-month-old Muad came into a clinic with his mother, he weighed only 15 pounds — the average weight of a 4-month-old. In his country of Somalia, a severe drought is causing widespread hunger and acute malnutrition, threatening precious lives like Muad’s. “My biggest fear is that he might die,” says Fatuma, his mother.

A World Vision staff member measures Muad’s arm circumference, revealing severe acute malnutrition. Thankfully, Muad is receiving the treatment he needs through World Vision’s emergency response.

The deep, deadly ache of hunger extends well past Somalia. Today, children and families across dozens of countries are caught in the global hunger crisis, in critical need of

Kaltoum sits with her son, Adoum, at the border of Sudan and Chad.

emergency aid. In June, World Vision President and CEO Edgar Sandoval Sr. visited the border between Chad and Sudan. There, thousands of refugee families fleeing conflict and violence face another adversary: life-threatening hunger. Reports show that 40% of children who arrive at emergency clinics in Chad are acutely malnourished. Families are forced to make “between a rock and a hard place” decisions that all parents fear — and their children are feeling the effects.

“I abandoned my house because of the war,” says Kaltoum, a widowed mother of three. “We were so afraid, we ran.” But now at the border, in a place far from home, her children are facing different kinds of risks. Food is scarce. Her son Adoum, 5, is severely malnourished alongside other health issues, weighing in at a mere 26 pounds.

For girls, hunger hits differently

Hunger disproportionately impacts women and girls around the world — but we can help equip them for healthier futures! In some cultural traditions, women and girls eat last and least in their households. Many of them have limited decision-making power over resources and are overall more vulnerable to the effects of hunger. That’s why serving women and girls is essential in our work, and always will be. On October 11, we’ll celebrate International Day of the Girl — an opportunity to highlight crises where inequities exist, like hunger, and the ways we can help girls reach their God-given potential.

Today, millions are in urgent need of food assistance as the global hunger crisis continues to threaten lives. The need is great and undeniable. But so is our hope for these precious children’s future.

Responding in love

World Vision is responding to the global hunger crisis in 31 of the hardest-hit countries, providing food, clean water access, child protection and nutritional support, and more to families facing hunger and starvation. Over the last 10 years, 89% of the severely malnourished children we treated made a full recovery. It’s because of our donors and partners — and God’s grace — that we’re able to equip families to face crises like this and help ensure we’re there for the long term, investing in resiliency for the future.

Would you prayerfully consider giving a gift to the Global Emergency Response Fund today to help feed and protect the world’s most vulnerable people — especially children? Every $1 you give, combined in part with public grants, delivers $6 in impact, bringing resources like critically needed food, clean water, child protection, nutritional support, and more to families affected by hunger, conflicts and disasters around the world.

There’s trouble in the world, and it’s heartbreaking to witness. But we’re taking heart in God’s unbreakable promises, and in the generosity of those who love others as He does.