Conflict, economic shocks and climate change have left record numbers of people facing extreme hunger in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

Across the world, hunger crises are disproportionately impacting children. Learn why children are especially vulnerable to famine and what the IRC is doing to help. 

The IRC reports that, without drastic action, the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 will suspend global progress toward ending hunger by at least five years. 

Twenty million people face extreme hunger in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and Nigeria because of a deadly combination of drought and conflict. The International Rescue Committee is bringing malnutrition screenings and health care to communities in crisis.

In South Sudan, extreme hunger is being caused by conflict and war. Meet Nyanut Bol, a mother of triplets who wants her children to be safe and healthy. The babies are receiving care in an IRC health center. In South Sudan, an estimated 1.1 million children under age five are acutely malnourished and in need of lifesaving services. 

The IRC finds conflict-affected countries need $1.7B to limit potential hunger brought on by COVID-19, $760M needed in high refugee-hosting developing countries.

Humanitarian needs in countries such as Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria and Somalia could rise as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. Here are three reasons why.

The devastating impact of the war in Ukraine is being felt by crisis-affected communities around the world. People living in low-income, food import-dependent countries already impacted by conflict, COVID-19 and climate change are now suffering from the ripple effects of food supply chain disruptions, skyrocketing food prices and rising inflation. Drawing on the IRC’s work in food insecure contexts, this report outlines how the ripple effects of the war in Ukraine are compounding a pre-existing hunger crisis, and how the G7 and wider international community can prevent the war from pushing other vulnerable communities closer to famine.

Drought and conflict have left record numbers of people in the East Africa and other regions in dire need of aid. The world must act now to avert famine.

IRC malnutrition expert Dr. Mohamed Kassim explains how the IRC is protecting the health of children in Nigeria through malnutrition prevention and treatment.