23 February 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – World Vision, a leading international aid organization, announced a landmark $1.7 billion program today to address the escalating hunger crisis affecting millions of children across Africa.
This three-year initiative, dubbed “ENOUGH,” aims to improve the nutritional status of children in 27 African countries, including Ethiopia, where millions face severe food insecurity.
The program comes in response to alarming statistics. According to World Vision, 44 million children in Africa are currently at risk of starvation, with 342 million people facing severe food insecurity continent-wide – a staggering one-third of the global total.
Malnutrition also runs rampant, affecting 278 million Africans, including 55 million children under five who suffer from stunting.
ENOUGH will focus on delivering critical nutritional interventions to vulnerable communities across the continent. The program aims to empower families through education, support local food production, and address the underlying causes of hunger, such as climate change and conflict.
Ethiopia, grappling with its own internal conflicts and drought, is a key focus of the initiative. Millions of Ethiopians are displaced due to these factors, further exacerbating food insecurity. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports over 4.5 million displaced citizens within the country, with the Somali region hosting the largest number due to drought.
World Vision’s commitment complements existing efforts. Just last month, the Ethiopian Government Disaster Prevention and Control Commission reported 4.4 million citizens needing urgent food aid. The European Union, alongside partner organizations, has also provided significant humanitarian support to Ethiopia.
While ENOUGH represents a significant step forward, World Vision emphasizes the need for continued collaboration to tackle this complex issue. The organization calls on other stakeholders, including governments, donors, and local communities, to join forces in ensuring every child in Africa has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.
