Five global hotspots for child hunger—and how you can help 

This is the nightmarish reality for millions of parents worldwide in the face of a global hunger crisis. In the last five years alone, global hunger has increased to affect an additional 152 million people.  

With this steadily intensifying crisis, children’s lives and futures hang in the balance, leaving them vulnerable to starvation, preventable diseases and shattered dreams. 

Every minute in 2024, 35 children were born into hunger—18.2 million children in total. This number, more than double the population of New York City, represents children born into a life that will be immediately threatened by a lack of food. 

This year, five global hotspots reveal the devasting impact of hunger in children’s lives. But together, we can reach these children before starvation does—nourishing their bodies, hearts and minds so they can build the bright, fulfilling future they deserve. 

Sudan: Civil war creates famine 

After two years of devastating civil war, the conflict in Sudan has escalated into the worst humanitarian crisis in recorded history. As a primarily agrarian country, more than two-thirds of Sudan’s population depend on agriculture for their food and livelihoods. 

But prolonged armed conflict and the displacement of agriculturists has left fields destroyed or abandoned, leading to further dwindling food supplies and plunging more people into crippling hunger. 

Already, more than 600,000 people are experiencing famine with another eight million rapidly approaching catastrophic hunger levels—the highest level of emergency hunger recorded. 

Children suffer the most in emergencies, and behind every statistic is a child whose future hangs in the balance. An estimated 3.5 million children under the age of five in Sudan will experience acute malnutrition, and more than 770,000 children are expected to suffer from severe malnutrition—the most life-threatening form of hunger.  

“The reports of famine are devastating,” said Limia Ahmed, Deputy National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Sudan. “More than anything, the families are suffering because [they see] their children hospitalized. But, because of the health care facilities challenges, these hospitalizations are often ending in death. Parents feel helpless.” 

Learn more about how SOS Children’s Villages is delivering urgent relief to children and families in Sudan.  

Colombia: Humanitarian crisis fuels hunger 

While Sudan faces a brutal civil war, a different crisis unfolds in Colombia with the same unacceptable result—children going to bed hungry.  

Due to a prolonged migration crisis, climate shocks, armed conflict and economic instability, more than 13 million people are experiencing food insecurity in Colombia, including 4.2 million children whose small bodies are crumpling under chronic hunger. 

Unable to meet their basic needs, these children are vulnerable to malnutrition, violence, exploitation and more. Without healthy and consistent meals, children are left without the nutrition they need to nourish their bodies, fuel their minds and reach their potential. 

Read how we’re providing emergency aid to children in Colombia.  

Somalia and Somaliland: Drought robs families of their lives 

“There’s no water. There’s no rain. And now, there are no crops.”  

These words from a member of Somaliland’s community echo the hopeless cry of millions across Somalia and Somaliland. Now entering the fifth year of severe drought, children and families in this region are in crisis. 

Families rely on livestock and crops as a source of sustainable income and food. But at least 3.5 million livestock have died in the drought, devastating livelihoods and plunging 3.4 million people into crisis-levels of hunger. 

Children’s growing bodies prove especially vulnerable to climate change and food insecurity. This year alone, 1.7 million children under the age of five are at risk of life-threatening acute malnutrition.  

Learn how your support sends life-saving aid to children in Somalia and Somaliland. 

Gaza: Conflict blocks food access 

“We are seeing levels of food insecurity that are truly alarming,” says Reem Alreqeb, Gaza Program Director for SOS Children’s Villages in Palestine. “The needs are overwhelming.”  

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is reaching new levels of catastrophe—with children suffering the most. The result of armed conflict and displacement, food, clean water and fuel are critically scarce.  

Without access to nutritious food, it’s estimated that 71,000 children will suffer from acute malnutrition this year. Already 93% of Gaza’s population—1.95 million people—are facing acute food insecurity.  

See how your compassion provides emergency support—including nutritious food—to children in Gaza. 

Democratic Republic of Congo 

With escalating violence from the armed M23 rebel group, hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes in eastern DRC. 

Due to this armed conflict, forced displacement and the following economic instability, more than 28 million people are experiencing food insecurity—the highest levels of food insecurity ever recorded in DRC. Without access to nutritious food, nearly two million children have severe wasting, an extreme and life-threatening stage of undernutrition.  

Read how your compassion helps vulnerable children in DRC. 

How you can stop child hunger today 

No child should go hungry, unable to focus during the day or sleep at night because of their aching, grumbling stomach. No parent should watch their child waste away, helpless to provide the healthy meals they need to grow. 

This summer, you can be the difference between starvation and survival for a child in need.  

With your gift to our Full Bellies, Bright Futures Summer Food Drive, you can send the life-saving food a child needs to fuel their body, nurture their mind and reach their full potential. 

Your support doesn’t just fill a child’s plate now—it fills entire communities’ hearts with hope.  

Your gift today can:  

• Equip families with seeds and agriculture training to weather climate disasters. 

• Deliver emergency food assistance and prevent starvation. 

• Protect children’s health and futures with life-saving medical care that combats the devastating effects of malnutrition.  

Together, we can turn hunger into hope. Your gift today is a lifeline—giving children the food they need to grow, learn and thrive—and parents the tools they need to rebuild with hope. 

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