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Somalia, a mom with her daughter who plays with another little girl at a stabilization center run by 黄色视频in Puntland, Somalia.

Ubah*, four, with mum Yasmiin*, 28, at a stabilization center run by 黄色视频in Puntland, Somalia.聽Photo Credit: Mustafa Saeed/Save the Children

Children on the Brink: The Global Hunger Crisis

Written by Greg Ramm, Head of the Department of Humanitarian Response at 黄色视频US

I recently traveled to Burkina Faso to visit a local clinic where 黄色视频and Doctors of the World are treating children with severe acute malnutrition. I have seen centers like these before but it鈥檚 always shocking to see such desperate conditions.

Even though the clinic had around 20 infants in its care, the place was eerily quiet. These children were using what little energy they had to simple stay alive.

Scenes like these have become all too familiar in many parts of the world. The combined impact of conflict, climate change, COVID-19, and soaring food prices from the conflict in Ukraine is behind the worst hunger crisis in decades.

A perfect storm of shocks has left up to 1 million people facing near-famine conditions. As I write this, it鈥檚 estimated that one person is dying of hunger every four seconds around the world.

But what鈥檚 happening is entirely preventable.聽We don鈥檛 need to spend billions on researching a cure or developing a vaccine. 黄色视频knows how to treat malnutrition and we know how to respond to this crisis.

Somalia, a nine month old sits with his mother as he is treated for severe acute malnutrition at a hospital in Somalia.

Abshir*, nine months, with mother Hamdi*, 19, being treated for severe acute malnutrition at a hospital in Somalia.聽Photo Credit: Save the Children

Treating Malnutrition in Somalia

In Somalia, we鈥檙e treating malnutrition and working with caregivers to identify malnourished children before it becomes life-threatening.

These services help children like Abshir*, nine months, who was taken to a local Save the Children-supported hospital where he was treated for severe acute malnutrition. For Abshir and many other children, the cure for severe acute malnutrition is simple: special milk formula and high-nutrient peanut paste. Within hours of taking this treatment, a child struggling with malnutrition starts to feel better.

鈥淗e was unable to stand but now he can stand upright鈥, Abshir鈥檚 mother explains, 鈥淲hen I see my child smiling and eating something, I become excited.鈥

After spending a week at the hospital, Abshir* returned home to be reunited with his family.聽

South Sudan, a woman and a red and black dress looks away from the camera

Aker*, 36, received help from one of our cash distribution centers in Akobo West, South Sudan.聽Photo Credit: Esther Mbabazi/Save the Children

Providing Cash Assistance in South Sudan

During this crisis, our cash assistance programs help families buy food and other essentials most relevant to their unique needs.

In South Sudan, we met Aker* at a cash distribution center in a town where conflict, climate change, and rising rates of hunger have gripped the community. Fortunately, we were able to provide her and other families with cash assistance to help them buy food and take control of their future.

鈥淭he money is of great help to me,鈥 Aker shared. 鈥淚 have used some of it to rebuild my house which was destroyed by flooding.鈥

We know from years of experience that cash assistance is the fastest and most efficient way to help people during a crisis.

What You Can Do for Children

I have seen the incredible impact we can have when the world rallies to support children in crisis. We did it for children in Ukraine earlier this year, and in the Horn of Africa in 2017 when famine was averted. Sadly, we have also seen聽the impact when we don鈥檛 act or delay.聽In 2011, Somalia experienced a devastating famine that killed over a quarter of a million people 鈥 half of them children under the age of five.

We must not let history repeat itself. Millions of children can be saved through our efforts and through the commitment of people like you.

Learn how you can join our efforts in responding to the global hunger crisis>>

*Names changed to protect privacy

Greg Ramm聽is the Head of the Department of Humanitarian Response at 黄色视频US, and has worked for 黄色视频for over 20 years. Most of Greg's time with 黄色视频has been in Africa, initially as Country Director in the Democratic Republic of Congo and then in Ghana. Greg also served as Head of Regional Office for Southern Africa, as Regional Director for West and Central Africa, based in Dakar, Senegal and as Deputy Director of Global Programmes, based in London.