News

Financial crisis must not divert efforts to tackle global child hunger

London, United Kingdom (15 October, 2008) -- On the eve of World Food Day, Save the Children is warning that hundreds of millions of the world’s poorest children, already suffering from severe malnutrition, could face an even bleaker future as developing nations grapple with food, fuel and financial crises – all at the same time.

The international children’s charity today urged world leaders to seize this moment to mobilize a global response and not to turn their backs on children suffering from chronic malnourishment, either at home or in the developing world.

“As a result of three major crises coming within less than a year, most families in the world are going to find it more difficult to feed their children, give them access to health care and keep them in school,” said Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Secretary General, International Save the Children Alliance. “And it is going to be especially difficult for nearly 1 billion people who already are suffering from chronic malnutrition and living in very poor conditions,” she said.

Petri Gornitzka cited a new World Bank study showing that high food and fuel prices are expected to increase the number of malnourished people around the world this year by 44 million to reach a total of 967 million, while also “causing irreparable damage to the health of millions of children.”

“We applaud political leaders around the world who are speaking out forcefully and acting to help families who face the hardest impacts of these current crises. Now is the compelling moment for us all – government and civil society alike -- to rally together behind proven strategies to enable vulnerable families to overcome these challenges.” Petri Gornitzka said.

Children in Africa are the worst affected

The food, fuel and financial crises are impacting every country, and Save the Children is responding vigorously in almost twenty. Petri Gornitzka said that the continent hit hardest has been Africa.

"The figures are staggering," she said. "In the Horn of Africa, at least 3 million children are suffering from severe malnutrition. In Ethiopia alone, 75,000 children are now in immediate need of therapeutic feeding, and the numbers are growing. "

Added Dennis Walto, Africa Director for Save the Children: "Rising food prices, loss in the value of livestock and higher transportation costs translate directly into increased hunger, poverty and malnutrition for families across Africa, with children bearing the greatest burden of these consequences."

"It will take more than food to fight this hunger crisis," he added. "Our experience demonstrates that healthy, educated households are far better able to deal with rising food costs," Walto said.

Save the Children in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, Save the Children’s 800-strong team is currently working to help nearly 900,000 people in six of the worst-affected regions. Work includes setting up work schemes to provide parents with a way to earn food and money, providing clean water, emergency feeding and healthcare for malnourished children, delivering veterinary drugs and animal feed to help families keep their animals alive.

Save the Children also is working to help families avoid taking actions in time of crisis that could harm children, including:

  • Early marriage: some families marry off their children (mostly girls) in order to reduce the number of persons to feed.
  • Child labor, exploitation and trafficking: children are often used to supplement family income.
  • Family separation: food crisis have a negative effect on family cohesion.
  • Children withdrawn from school: the number of children attending school regularly reduces during times of crisis
  • Meals reduction: families often reduce the number of meals they eat in a day so as to stretch their resources.
  • Children on the move: in most cases, rural families abandon small scale agriculture and move to urban areas. This has a direct impact on children, they are unable to attend school regularly and new environments pose further risks to children – exploitation, begging and bonded labor.

Save the Children will soon launch a new initiative in countries across Africa that will focus on mobilising families, communities, government and civil society leaders to build economic resilience in households and communities, ensuring that children attain their right to be free from hunger.

"We need to shore up the resources of families who are just getting by, so they won't be so vulnerable to upheavals in the global market,” said Schuler. Save the Children’s new approach will look at ways to help families and communities out of poverty and hunger.”

How you can help

Save the Children is appealing for US$20 million to support the millions of children affected by Ethiopia's food crisis. Your money can help Save the Children stop this vicious cycle of malnutrition.

HTML fileDonate to Save the Children's Ethiopia Food Crisis Emergency Appeal online or by calling 0800 8148 148 in the UK, or find your national Save the Children organisation.

More information

For more information, please contact Dominic Nutt in London, on +44 207 012 6841 or +44 7831 650 409 (out of hours) and if you are interested in learning more about the new Africa initiative, please contact Mike Kiernan, in Washington, D.C. on +1 202 640 6630 or on his mobile on +1 202 460 0614

Please note that photos, case studies and videos on how food prices are affecting families in Ethiopia are available. For these broadcast quality videos or photos for print, please contact the spokespeople above.