Hunger
Children die when poverty, poor health and hunger conspire to end lives. We’re working flat out to tackle malnutrition through our work.
Every year, 3.1 million children die from malnutrition-related causes – accounting for 35% of children’s deaths. The scale of the problem is huge. The chronic form of malnutrition, known as stunting, affects 178 million children – one-third of all children under five-years old in developing countries
Children who are stunted are shorter than average. Their brain development is also affected, which has major implications later in life on their schooling and productivity.
From 2005, world food prices rose steadily, peaking in 2008. In most countries, prices remain higher than they were from 1997 – 2007, and in some countries they have yet to decline.
This has serious implications for the survival and future of millions of children. We estimate that the 2007-08 food price crisis resulted in at least 4.3 million more children becoming malnourished.
How we can reduce hunger
Malnutrition primarily occurs from conception to the child’s second birthday. The growth of the baby in the mother’s womb is the first point at which the effects of poor diet are felt. A significant proportion of babies are born with low birth weight. After two years of age it’s much harder to reverse the effects of chronic malnutrition.
So, if a pregnant woman and a baby under the age of two have access to an adequate and nutritious diet, the child’s future opportunities are greatly improved. We research and help children affected or most at risk of malnutrition, and we lobby for improved policies to combat the problem.
Our comprehensive approach always includes a combined focus on nutrition, people’s access to food, and how they can earn a living to pay for food - particularly cash transfers - so families can be better prepared and more able to cope with natural and economic shocks.
Find out more about how we tackle hunger
Our report Hungry for Change presents an eight-step plan of action for tackling global child hunger.
