"The people who send the money to help us are like angels." That's what Safiyo Haji Abdi of Somalia said after her malnourished son received help from Action Against Hunger through the Humanitarian Coalition, with support from the Government of Canada.
The non-profit Action Against Hunger uses a similar definition, calling famine “the most severe kind of hunger crisis.”
“Some deadly emergencies happen suddenly, like earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters,” they explain. “This is not the case with famine. A famine happens slowly, caused by long-term conflict, climate shocks, extreme poverty, and other drivers. Famines are never inevitable.”
Candid Conflict’s Long Shadow Has a Name: It’s Hunger
Though the ups and downs of fighting can be unpredictable, the link between conflict and hunger is not. Over 85% of people experiencing hunger crises worldwide live in conflict-affected countries.
Of course, the ideal solution is peace. Until then, we need the international community to advocate for safe humanitarian access in conflict zones. We also need greater funding for the most basic of human rights, such as food and access to healthcare. Bringing attention to these forgotten crises is the first step toward both.
Despite the difficulties, Action Against Hunger in Sudan has reached almost half a million people with its humanitarian aid and supported thousands of displaced people.
More than 3.4 million people have a need urgent of a humanitarian response in Chad, according to Action Against Hunger (ACF), consequence of the massive influx of refugees fleeing the war in Sudan.
“We are pleased with the USAID-funded activity Action Against Hunger and Food Insecurity initiative in Gwanda District of Zimbabwe. This activity focuses on improving household food security and nutrition that will strengthen resilience to climate-induced shocks and stressors for 4,375 households,”
"Provinces in the east of Chad are among the country's most vulnerable zones with poor access to basic services, and the arrival of refugees drastically exacerbates the need," Action Contre La Faim (ACF), or Action Against Hunger, said in a statement.
Jean-Raphael Poitou, of Action Against Hunger, told AFP that "solar panels and generators, for instance "are included in the banned list of "dual-use" items. "It's the sort of thing we need to be able to meet needs in Gaza more efficiently," he said.