Health & Nutrition
Ending global extreme poverty requires us to focus on two of its root issues: health & nutrition. You can help us with both.
For most of our 55-plus years as an organization, Concern has led the way with standard-setting programs that strengthen local health systems and provide quality nutrition support and education to the world’s most vulnerable communities.
- 828 million people went hungry last year — an increase of 150 million since COVID
- 670 million people are expected to still be facing hunger by 2030
- 149 million children under age 5 are stunted (low height for age) due to malnutrition
- 21% of all Africans are undernourished — double the rate of any other region.
How We Do It
Community-Based Focus on Women and Children
In many areas where we work, women are the primary caregivers of children and contribute equally — if not more — to the family income. Yet social and cultural norms mean that women in these areas have fewer resources and decision-making power. Our work in health and nutrition begins by identifying and addressing these systemic inequities. Raising awareness of nutritional best practices isn’t enough if the behaviors that create barriers aren’t also changed.
We work with local leaders and groups who can help motivate those changes with their friends, families, and neighbors, so that all members of a community can have access to essential health services, food security, and the support to take care of themselves and their children with optimal caring practices.
Strengthening Local and National Health Systems
Local and national health systems are the main sources for two important nutrition services: treating acute malnutrition, and providing key nutrient supplements for women in children. Health workers are also key players in both promoting overall healthy habits and responding to emergencies.
Beyond clinics and hospitals, community healthcare workers and volunteers are essential — especially in rural areas where the closest facility could be a days-long journey. Concern’s role is to build the skills and capacities of hospital and clinic staff, as well as those of community workers and volunteers. We also work on finding sustainable processes that allow lifesaving interventions to be delivered via governments and communities, at local and national levels.
Integrated and Innovative Programs
Hunger doesn’t happen in isolation. Many of the causes of malnutrition and other health issues cut across sectors. Integrated programs streamline our efforts, as well as those of communities and governments. Sharing resources through joint planning and coordination means we’re able to do more with less, while maintaining effectiveness.
Our health and nutrition work often involves projects that combine one or more of the following areas of focus: Agriculture and climate response, maternal and child health, water, sanitation, and hygiene, education, and livelihoods.
Our Impact
- 11.4 million people reached last year with our health and nutrition programs in 23 countries
- 342,000 people across 5 countries reached last year with a new program designed to fight malnutrition
- Malawians in remote areas vaccinated against COVID-19 via 18 Concern-supported clinics
- 80% cure rate for Rohingya refugee children under the age of 5 treated for malnutrition
And that’s just in one year.
For every dollar donated to Concern, $0.93 goes immediately into our life-saving programs in 25 of the world’s most vulnerable countries. Your tax-deductible gift makes you part of a vital community that enables us to reach 9 million people each year with lifesaving nutrition solutions.
