When Googling the term Global Hunger Crisis, it was shocking to discover how few news outlets are covering what is an unprecedented hunger situation in our world. While there have always been far too many people on the planet going to sleep hungry (as our parents used to tell us when we didn't want to finish our dinner), it's worse today. Much worse. But why? Everything, all at once.
Increased regional conflict
More extreme weather events and prolonged drought
Lingering effects of a global pandemic
A war that has resulted in price spikes and shortages in food, fuel, and fertilizer
Hundreds of millions of women, men, boys, and girls are hungry today - with a staggering 50 million in imminent danger of starvation in 45 countries. David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Program (WFP) recently said, "Before the war in Ukraine, I had been saying that 2022 could be the worst humanitarian crisis since WWII. Now we’re facing a food availability crisis in 2023. If we fail to act, this will be a catastrophe unlike any we have seen in our lifetime." Further, the World Food Program highlights the truth that Women are Hungrier.
CNBC, one of the only hits on Google aside from NGOs and UN Agencies, reported this headline in August, "Global food crisis sees 150 million more women than men going hungry - and it's going to get worse."
This can seem overwhelming, even impossible to address. Perhaps that's why we're not seeing it in the news. But it is happening, and we are doing something about it.
World Vision:Largest Humanitarian Response in our History
In May, World Vision launched the largest humanitarian undertaking in our 72-year history. Our goal is to reduce acute food insecurity and improve the resilience of 22 million of the most vulnerable people in 25 countries experiencing growing hunger and the threat of famine. (see map below)
In the majority of these countries - and dozens more - we're also continuing vital work with communities to improve livelihoods and build resiliency so they can survive future shocks.
We've reached more than 16 million people, nearly 9 million women and girls.
Every $1 you donate to Global Hunger Response delivers $9 in impact, thanks to public grants and partnerships.
We are so grateful to Entertainment Tonight and longtime World Vision Ambassador and Strong Women Strong World partner Patricia Heaton for making the trip to Northern Kenya last month to raise awareness about the hunger crisis. If you missed the segment, please watch it here and share with others.
Registration is now open for our 18th Annual SWSW Event!
We cannot wait to finally gather face-to-face again in New York City. The energy, connection, and community of being in a room full of like-minded people is a gift we hope you'll give yourself this holiday season.
After attending a joyous Day of Prayer at the Kenyan National Office in Nairobi, we flew to Kitali to begin our cross-country journey. Included in our group were national and regional World Vision Kenya and Vision Fund staff, World Vision U.S., and Emory University – all active participants in the creation of the inaugural Strong Women Strong World Beyond Access program.
This cross-sector program hopes to empower women; first, by bringing her clean water and second, by providing her economic opportunity through capital access. Along the way, we are hiring female field staff and measuring the empowerment of participating women.
But our travels revealed another need brought about by water, or the lack of it. Hunger. The region’s worst drought in four decades has emaciated cattle and withered crops in Kenya’s pastoralist communities. The women I met were thin and tired, having to dig with their hands underneath the dry riverbed hoping to find water. Scoops of wet sand were separated into a brown liquid which was carefully poured into jerry cans for consumption.
As extreme weather increases, those with the least suffer the most. In addition to finding water, these women now must find food where few options exist. The World Food Program estimates 3.5 million food insecure Kenyans. And I met 40 of them that day.
Droughts in Kenya. Flooding in Nigeria. Water-induced migration, source water protection, infrastructure investment, contamination, public policy, transboundary water conflicts, and weaponized water are some of the many challenges the world faces today involving water.
Sitting under a tree I asked a group of Kang’oletyang women to describe what a “strong woman” means to them - in their culture. One woman replied, “A strong woman is someone who perseveres.”
Water issues will continue to challenge all of us and I pray that God grants provision and perseverance for our hungry sisters in Africa.
Lani is Chair of the Strong Women Strong World Council and the co-Founder and former President/CEO of Watermill Express - the nation’s largest drive-up pure drinking water company. As a philanthropist, Lani’s goal is to improve the lives of women and girls through WASH, economic empowerment, and entrepreneurship.
Lani in Northern Kenya with strong women persevering through big challenges.
Our community in action: Last month
Huge thanks to Kendall Dye, Betsy King, and Golf Fore Africa! The inaugural 405 Classic LPGA Celebrity Pro-Am in Oklahoma City raised more than $300,000 for clean water projects that will reach 6,000 people in Zambia!
In 2021, 90 percent of World Vision's total operating expenses were used for programs that benefit children, families, and communities in need. Learn More.
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