The facts
Every day children are dying before they have a chance to live. Millions die annually from preventable causes. It’s a lottery of malnutrition, infections they weren’t immunised against, and illnesses that could be easily treated with the right health care. According to recent research, half of all children under 5 suffering from malnutrition live in Asia and Africa where, in places, disruptions in vital health and nutrition services, as well as challenges in maintaining proper feeding, caregiving, and hygiene routines, are presenting further difficulties.
Why it is important to us
We are working in some of the most vulnerable and impoverished parts of the world, where lack of access to nourishing, affordable food and clean water, is of critical concern. Escalating levels of humanitarian crises including conflicts, climate change impacts, epidemics, and persistent global hunger have affected millions of children and women, putting them at risk of malnutrition.
We are undertaking vital work to save and improve lives in parts of the world where access to adequate health services and nutritious food is limited. Our health and nutrition interventions focus on enhancing dietary diversity, strengthening local health systems and structures, and improving health, nutrition, hygiene and sanitation practices.
Our work on the ground with health and nutrition initiatives encourages the growing and consumption of nourishing foods and promotes education in nutrition and healthy practices. In cooperation with local governments, we rehabilitate and construct water and sanitation facilities in schools and health centres.
Learn about our programmes and approaches
NOURISH
UN and WFP
Area Programmes
Emergency food distribution approaches
In emergency situations, international food assistance is a critical ‘safety net’ for children and their families who are unable to meet their food and nutritional needs, often due to natural or human-made disasters.
Family and community centered approaches
Our health and nutrition work aims to address the leading causes of illness and mortality among children under five. Through family- and community-centered approaches, we focus on behaviour change, community and health and nutrition systems strengthening, and advocacy at various levels to break the cycle of vulnerability.
Food security and resilient agriculture approaches
Applying a Nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) approach within our agriculture work, we aim to enhance year-round access to nutritious and diverse foods, increase income and empower individuals to meet their families’ needs.
Find out more about our positions
Hunger and malnutrition
A challenge to child wellbeing.
A World Vision Ireland position paper.
Ration cuts
Taking from the hungry to feed the starving.
A World Vision International report
Not ENOUGH: global perceptions on child hunger and malnutrition
Results from an IPSOS survey commissioned by World Vision International for the ENOUGH campaign
Read related stories
Helping malnourished children in Somalia
World Vision tackles malnutrition in children with the World Food Programme.
€3.2 Billion Hunger Pledge
World Vision pledges €3.2bn to tackle rising child hunger and malnutrition.
The choice no parent should have to make
Which child will eat today?
Get involved with us
ENOUGH is ENOUGH
Let's end child hunger and malnutrition now.
Donate
Donate to help protect children suffering during emergencies such as natural disasters and conflict.