Bisharo and Nurad are two 35-year-old mothers living in Ethiopia, where a combination of climate shocks and conflict has deepened the food insecurity. Though different circumstances caused them to become displaced, they have come to share the same daily goal: to gain access to food that will keep their children well-nourished and healthy.

By the time mothers bring their malnourished children to the IRC health facility in the Imvepi refugee settlement, in the north-west part of Uganda, they are often deeply worried because their child is in an extremely weakened state. As the IRC nutrition assistant that meets them, Esther, 28, gives hope to these mothers, letting them know she is there to support their child and to help provide the critical care they need.

Climatic shocks have created a devastating food insecurity crisis across East Africa. Over the last few years, the dangerous combination of prolonged drought and flooding has led to soaring levels of severe malnutrition, especially among children.