Nearly 800 million people across Africa grapple with hunger daily, making the continent home to the world’s highest rates of malnutrition. Compounding this crisis, Africa bears 42% of the global disabled population—many of whom are children—while elderly communities, often overlooked, face compounded vulnerabilities.
Today’s devastating food crisis has pushed families, particularly those reliant on livestock, into relentless migration in search of food and water. For every group, the situation worsens by the day: children risk losing their lives to starvation; the hungry struggle to secure even a single meal; the disabled face insurmountable barriers to aid; and the elderly, weakened by age and often without support, teeter on the brink of survival.
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Children: Growing up in poverty, African children endure extreme hunger and food crises. 46% of the population lives in poverty, and 1 in 16 children dies before their 5th birthday—nine times the rate in the United States. Stunting due to malnutrition afflicts 26% of children, while 21% of school-age children are out of school. For girls, the crisis deepens: 12% of those aged 15–19 are married, 1 in 12 gives birth, and 25% of girls 15 and older struggle to read or write.
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The Hungry: Beyond children, millions of adults—parents, laborers, and community members—go days without food. Many skip meals to prioritize their children, weakening their own health and ability to work, trapping families in a cycle of poverty and hunger.
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People with Disabilities: Both children and adults with disabilities face layered challenges. Physical barriers (e.g., inaccessible aid centers), social stigma, and lack of specialized support mean they are often last to receive food, medical care, or clean water. For those unable to migrate with their communities, isolation can be fatal.
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Elderly Communities: Older adults, many of whom care for grandchildren amid absent parents, are hit hardest. Age-related health issues make them more susceptible to malnutrition, while limited mobility prevents them from reaching aid distribution points. Without family support, they often go unnoticed in relief efforts.
Since September 2016, our teams have been on the ground in Africa, responding to the extreme hunger crisis. We operate in 149 sites across four of the driest northern counties, collaborating with Africa’s Humanitarian Partners Team at the national level to identify, treat, and prevent hunger and malnutrition—for every vulnerable group.
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For Children & Families: We conduct nutritional screenings and treatments, reaching over 69,691 children under five and 25,738 pregnant women. We train health workers to address child malnutrition and run infant- and child-feeding programs for mothers, ensuring young lives are protected.
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For the Hungry: We expand food distribution to include entire families, providing emergency rations and supporting local livelihoods (e.g., seed banks, livestock care) to help communities rebuild self-sufficiency.
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For People with Disabilities: We design inclusive aid efforts—from wheelchair-accessible distribution centers to trained staff assisting those with mobility or sensory needs. We also advocate to ensure disability is central to humanitarian planning, so no one is left behind.
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For the Elderly: We establish community-based support, including home deliveries of food and medicine for those unable to travel, and train local volunteers to check in on elderly neighbors, ensuring their needs are met.
Additionally, we keep schools, health facilities, and community hubs open by trucking in clean water and upgrading water systems—with accessibility in mind, such as ramps for the disabled and easy access for the elderly. We also help communities prepare for future crises by developing inclusive response plans, ensuring all voices are heard.
From children to the elderly, the hungry to the disabled—everyone deserves a chance to thrive. Your support can help us reach more lives, ease suffering, and build resilience across Africa.
