World Vision commits US $1.7 billion to end child hunger and malnutrition in Africa

For Immediate Release

• Approximately 342 million people on the African continent are severely food-insecure, accounting for one-third of the global severely food insecure population.[1]
• A fifth of the African population (278 million) is undernourished, and 55 million of its children under the age of five are stunted due to severe malnutrition[2]
• Nearly 148.1 million children under 5 are affected by stunting globally, with 44.4 million in Africa.

Addis/Dakar/Johannesburg/Nairobi, 21 February, 2024: World Vision International has today launched its ENOUGH campaign to end continental hunger and will commit US $1.7 billion to address the escalating hunger crisis.  

The child-focused aid agency said the 3-year campaign investment will improve the nutritional status of children living in the most vulnerable communities across 27 countries on the continent, through promotion of nutritional interventions to reduce hunger among the most affected populations.

The campaign to end child hunger and malnutrition was launched at the margins of the 37th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“We would like to see families being able to feed themselves, Delali, African child.

“I have had enough of hunger and malnutrition,” Emmanuella, African child.

The above quotes resonate what millions of children in Africa have to contend with on daily basis, whilst vulnerable families across the continent struggle to put food on the table for their children in order to meet their rights to food and adequate nutrition.

The ENOUGH campaign is part of a global World Vision initiative connected to Sustainable Development Goal (Zero Hunger). It also includes a drive to improve data collection systems at national and global levels so children can be reached with support and have their voices heard in shaping key policies and outcomes. 

The campaign is a response to the challenges brought about by climate change, conflict and the cost of food increasing the number of children in need of aid. “We are deeply concerned with the devastating effects aggravating humanitarian crises on the continent that is leaving millions in need of aid. Children bear the brunt of the food crisis and suffer from severe hunger and malnutrition, a condition that continues to jeopardize their ability to survive, thrive and reach their full potential,” said Lillian Dodzo, World Vision’s Regional Director for East Africa.  

Global demands for humanitarian funding mean crises in East, West and Southern Africa have limited international attention, in spite of urgent, growing and life-threatening needs. In response to disasters, conflict and famines, with the support of generous donors, World Vision has worked to prevent hunger and malnutrition among children in Africa and globally for decades.  

UN reports also indicate that in many African countries’ food security is not exclusively a rural problem. According to WFP, an estimated 68.1 million women, men and children among the urban population were at risk of acute food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2020.

Additionally, more than a billion people across the African continent are unable to afford a healthy diet, and approximately 30 per cent of children are stunted because of malnutrition. It is now clearer than ever that the cycle of poverty in Africa can be broken by increasing investment and commitments of national governments and other development partners in nutrition interventions.

The Africa launch is part of World Vision’s global campaign, which aims to end child hunger and improve the nutritional status of children through promoting collective action at all levels. The campaign is premised on the principle that children’s right to adequate food must be respected, protected, and fulfilled and that no child should go to bed hungry.

We have had ENOUGH but we believe there is ENOUGH for every child.

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About World Vision:

 

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian and development organisation dedicated to working with children, families and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. In Africa, we operate as three regions - East, West and Southern Africa - in 27 countries. For more information, please visit www.wvi.org/AFRICA or follow us on X @WorldVision  

 

For further information please contact:

 

World Vision Africa Union Liaison Office:

Sam Norgah 

Director, African Union Liaison Office

Mobile: +251930076764 Email: samuel_norgah@wvi.org

 

East Africa:

Jennifer Watson

Regional Director - Communications & Public Engagement, World Vision East Africa

Mobile: +254 780 554 394  |  email: jennifer_watson@wvi.org

 

West Africa:

Ange Gusenga-Tembo

Regional Communications & Public Engagement Director, World Vision West Africa

Mobile: +221 783 793496 | email: ange_tembo@wvi.org

 

Southern Africa:

Pamela Chama

Regional Communications, Advocacy & External Engagement Director, World Vision Southern Africa

Mobile: +260 970937815  |  Email:pamela_chama@wvi.org