Hunger & Food Security
One in eight people in the developing world do not have enough to eat. Many poor farmers are unable to grow enough food to feed their own families, much less sell for additional income. That’s why we partner with communities to address immediate food needs — but also to grow sustainable food for the future.
Around the world, up to 811 million people regularly go to bed hungry. Here are 10 facts you should know about global hunger and rising food insecurity.
At least 22.8 million people face a hunger crisis in Afghanistan, where parents are faced with the impossible choice of selling a child for food or seeing their families starve. Learn what World Vision is doing to help families affected by the Afghan hunger crisis.
In rural communities, women have to travel long distances to get basic healthcare. World Vision–trained community health workers help bridge the gap and provide care as well as education.
383,256
farmers empowered to use improved agriculture and natural resource management in 2016-2017, globally.
Thanks to the support of World Vision donors around the world in 2016-2017.
12 million
people assisted through food projects.
Thanks to the support of World Vision donors around the world in 2019.
$1 billion
budgeted by U.S. Congress in 2017 for people impacted by famine or disaster.
Thanks to the persuasion of World Vision advocates.
Our Agriculture Approach
What is World Vision doing to address hunger around the world?
We provide children and families with the means to fight hunger and achieve food security. Food security means that families will know where their next meal is coming from — and that it will be enough nutritious food to live an active, healthy life.
Specifically, we help hungry children and families by:
- Increasing agricultural productivity through improved seeds and farming practices
- Improving access to markets so farming families can profitably sell their surplus food
- Teaching families and communities how to improve nutrition and dietary diversity
- Managing resources in a sustainable way to prevent soil erosion, maintain soil fertility, use water more efficiently, and protect the environment
How do you help families grow their own food more sustainably?
We help farmers increase their productivity by:
- Helping them get improved, locally adapted seeds and tools
- Teaching more productive agricultural practices such as promoting diversified and integrated farming systems, including livestock
- Training families about better post-harvest storage and processing techniques to ensure more food is preserved and less is wasted
- Bringing farmers together in associations and cooperatives, so they have more bargaining power and better access to markets and business development services, including credit, allowing them to graduate from subsistence to commercial farming
What about when there’s a famine? Do you distribute food aid?
We provide short-term food aid to make sure children and families get essential nutrients during a time of crisis. At the same time, we help families strengthen and improve their ability to produce or purchase their own food. This approach helps families become more resilient and better equipped to handle future food challenges.
How does teaching families and communities about nutrition help?
Rural families often grow or raise their own food. They may rely on crops and animals that grow locally, as well as traditional recipes that may not create balanced nutritional meals.
We focus on ensuring nutrition for pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as mothers of children under the age of 5, who are most vulnerable to the long-term impact of malnutrition. We train volunteers to help families and communities learn about nutritious, appropriate crops to grow; small animals that are easy to raise; new recipes; and how to cook variations on local recipes in order to provide more nutritious meals. Mothers also learn to recognize signs of malnourishment among their children, and what to do if they detect it.
As a result of these programs, children and families are healthier, have more energy, and get sick less often.
Food & Agriculture Resources
Building Community Resilience to Climate Shocks
Resilience strategies underpin the work of many agencies working in complex, fragile environments. This case study describes the experience of World Vision’s USAID project in Zimbabwe on the matter.
Farming as a Business Manual for Smallholder Farmers
The USAID-funded ENSURE project in Zimbabwe developed this manual to promote farming as a viable and sustainable business.
One in eight people in the world do not have enough to eat. Many poor farmers are unable to grow enough food to feed their own families, much less sell for additional income. That’s why we partner with communities to address immediate food needs — but also to grow sustainable food for the future.
Most Zambians are small-scale farmers who depend on rainfed crops. A drought season brings hunger, hardships, and hard decisions. Learn how four families cope.
At least 22.8 million people face a hunger crisis in Afghanistan, where parents are faced with the impossible choice of selling a child for food or seeing their families starve. Learn what World Vision is doing to help families affected by the Afghan hunger crisis.
In rural communities, women have to travel long distances to get basic healthcare. World Vision–trained community health workers help bridge the gap and provide care as well as education.
383,256
farmers empowered to use improved agriculture and natural resource management in 2016-2017, globally.
Thanks to the support of World Vision donors around the world in 2016-2017.
11.4 million
people assisted through food projects.
Thanks to the support of World Vision donors around the world in 2017.
$1 billion
budgeted by U.S. Congress in 2017 for people impacted by famine or disaster.
Thanks to the persuasion of World Vision advocates.
Our Agriculture Approach
What is World Vision doing to address hunger around the world?
We provide children and families with the means to fight hunger and achieve food security. Food security means that families will know where their next meal is coming from — and that it will be enough nutritious food to live an active, healthy life.
Specifically, we help hungry children and families by:
- Increasing agricultural productivity through improved seeds and farming practices
- Improving access to markets so farming families can profitably sell their surplus food
- Teaching families and communities how to improve nutrition and dietary diversity
- Managing resources in a sustainable way to prevent soil erosion, maintain soil fertility, use water more efficiently, and protect the environment
How do you help families grow their own food more sustainably?
We help farmers increase their productivity by:
- Helping them get improved, locally adapted seeds and tools
- Teaching more productive agricultural practices such as promoting diversified and integrated farming systems, including livestock
- Training families about better post-harvest storage and processing techniques to ensure more food is preserved and less is wasted
- Bringing farmers together in associations and cooperatives, so they have more bargaining power and better access to markets and business development services, including credit, allowing them to graduate from subsistence to commercial farming
What about when there’s a famine? Do you distribute food aid?
We provide short-term food aid to make sure children and families get essential nutrients during a time of crisis. At the same time, we help families strengthen and improve their ability to produce or purchase their own food. This approach helps families become more resilient and better equipped to handle future food challenges.
How does teaching families and communities about nutrition help?
Rural families often grow or raise their own food. They may rely on crops and animals that grow locally, as well as traditional recipes that may not create balanced nutritional meals.
We focus on ensuring nutrition for pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as mothers of children under the age of 5, who are most vulnerable to the long-term impact of malnutrition. We train volunteers to help families and communities learn about nutritious, appropriate crops to grow; small animals that are easy to raise; new recipes; and how to cook variations on local recipes in order to provide more nutritious meals. Mothers also learn to recognize signs of malnourishment among their children, and what to do if they detect it.
As a result of these programs, children and families are healthier, have more energy, and get sick less often.
Resource Archives:
- Africa’s Agricultural Potential: This infographic shows how Africa can address hunger and malnutrition while boosting livelihoods and promoting inclusive, sustainable growth.
-
Ultra Rice® test: World Vision and PATH conducted a field trial to test Ultra Rice® grains, generating data on its stability under real world transport and storage conditions, and the health impact (PDF) among African children.
Food & Agriculture Resources
Building Community Resilience to Climate Shocks
Resilience strategies underpin the work of many agencies working in complex, fragile environments. This case study describes the experience of World Vision’s USAID project in Zimbabwe on the matter.
Farming as a Business Manual for Smallholder Farmers
The USAID-funded ENSURE project in Zimbabwe developed this manual to promote farming as a viable and sustainable business.
Ways to Give to Hunger & Food Security
Help children suffering from hunger: $30+
With droughts, surging food prices, and violent unrest, the poorest populations — especially children — are the most severely affected. Every 15 seconds around world, another child dies from hunger and related causes. The need is urgent.
Monthly giving is the most effective way to help children and families who need it most. Plus, it lowers costs, which means more of your gift helps kids!
Provide relief in East Africa: $50+
With the looming threat of famine in parts of East Africa, tens of thousands of children could starve to death because of food and water shortages.Your gift to the East Africa Hunger Crisis will help save precious lives in Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya. And because of grant funds, your gift will multiply in impact to provide emergency food, clean water, access to life-saving medical care, and more to children and families fighting for their lives.
Ways to Give to Hunger & Food Security
Help children suffering from hunger: $30+
With droughts, surging food prices, and violent unrest, the poorest populations — especially children — are the most severely affected. Every 15 seconds around world, another child dies from hunger and related causes. The need is urgent.
Monthly giving is the most effective way to help children and families who need it most. Plus, it lowers costs, which means more of your gift helps kids!
Provide relief in East Africa: $50+
With the looming threat of famine in parts of East Africa, tens of thousands of children could starve to death because of food and water shortages.Your gift to the East Africa Hunger Crisis will help save precious lives in Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya. And because of grant funds, your gift will multiply in impact to provide emergency food, clean water, access to life-saving medical care, and more to children and families fighting for their lives.
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Choose one and see how our work gets done.
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