The global hunger crisis, exacerbated by climate change, conflict, and poverty, is affecting 345 million people, with children being particularly vulnerable. Two million children under five are at risk of dying from malnutrition this year. However, scalable solutions are available to address this issue.
Key Strategies to Combat Food Insecurity:
- Improving Malnutrition Treatment: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is addressing acute malnutrition, which causes one in five deaths among children under five. By simplifying diagnosis and treatment, and training community health workers, the IRC is making treatment more accessible, especially in challenging environments. Funding is crucial for expanding these treatments.
- Supporting Climate Change Adaptation: The IRC is aiding climate-vulnerable communities, like those in East Africa suffering from droughts and floods, by introducing climate-resilient farming practices and anticipatory action approaches. This includes supporting farmers with suitable crops and seeds, and preparing for floods in regions like northern Nigeria.
- Adopting a People-First Approach: Recognizing the unique needs of communities affected by hunger, the IRC focuses on partnerships with local experts, especially in conflict-ridden areas. Empowering local groups, particularly women and girls, is key to effective decision-making and support delivery. This involves training caregivers in malnutrition screening and collaborating with farmers on climate adaptation strategies.
The International Rescue Committee, founded in 1933, assists people impacted by humanitarian crises in over 50 countries and various communities in Europe and the Americas.
