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Hunger in Emergencies

Two women stare out of a tent. One of them is holding a young child.

Inequality is growing. This, along with failing food systems, conflict, and environmental changes, has resulted in more than 800 million hungry people. This number has increased over the last three years.

At the same time, crises and humanitarian needs have grown significantly over the past 10 years.

We traditionally differentiate between development for stable areas and humanitarian response for crisis zones. However, as of 2025, few countries or regions globally are truly stable. Poverty and hunger overlap in fragile contexts. By 2030, it’s likely that over 80% of the world’s population experiencing poverty will live in these unstable areas.

Wars, conflict, natural disasters, and the impacts of environmental shifts are now commonplace globally. In this new world, long-term efforts to reduce chronic hunger and malnutrition play an increasingly vital role.

800

million

hungry people in the world

Hunger and malnutrition are often caused by natural disasters and conflict or a combination of the two. Prolonged drought may destroy crops and cause food prices to skyrocket, or violent conflict may force people to flee their homes and livelihoods. In our programs worldwide, we work to prevent disasters and food crises. We achieve this by promoting environmental sustainability and empowering people economically so that they are better prepared for difficult times.

Key Approaches

Humanitarian and Emergency Response and Recovery

Working with local partners on humanitarian and emergency response.

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