Every child is created in the image of God. Yet across Africa, millions of children wake up each day facing the same urgent question: will there be enough to eat today?
When children don’t have regular access to nutritious food, they suffer from more than just an empty stomach. Food insecurity can lead to life-threatening malnutrition, which hinders healthy growth, weakens immune systems and makes it harder to learn in school. Over time, it can rob a child of the chance to reach their God-given potential.
The Scope of Hunger in Africa
People in Africa suffer some of the world’s highest rates of hunger. According to the World Health Organization, one in five people on the continent experiences hunger — more than twice the global average. UNICEF reports that one in three children in Africa lives in severe food poverty, making them up to 50% more likely to suffer from life-threatening malnutrition.
Hunger is one of the leading causes of preventable child deaths in Africa, contributing to nearly half of all childhood deaths on the continent.
Millions more children survive but are unable to eat the minimum diet needed for their healthy development.
Why Children Go Hungry
The causes of hunger for children in Africa are complex and interconnected:
Poverty makes it difficult for families to afford nutritious food, forcing them to choose between meals, shelter and other pressing expenses.
Conflict destroys crops and livestock, forces families from their homes and limits their ability to buy or sell food.
Droughts, floods and other weather extremes damage crops, which is especially dangerous for families who grow their own food.
Global crises like pandemics, inflation and supply chain problems put more pressure on already fragile food systems, making it even harder for families to get the nutritious food they need.
Source: UNICEF.org
How Local Churches Are Fighting Hunger With Hope
At Compassion, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy. That’s why we partner with local churches across Africa to care for children, watching vigilantly for signs of malnutrition and responding quickly when they need nutritional support.
With the help of our Health and Nutrition Fund, local churches are providing:
Nutritious meals and snacks at child development centers.
Supplemental food, vitamins and medical care for malnourished children.
Education on nutrition, hygiene and healthy habits.
Access to emergency aid, meals and clean water when crises arise.
Because we work with the local church, care is tailored to each community’s needs and is grounded in long-term relationships. Children in our program are known by name, supported holistically, and reminded they are loved by God and their community.
