Africa’s hunger crisis deepens for children as 2025 starts

Africa bore the brunt of a global hunger crisis in 2024, with conflict and climate change driving millions of children into acute malnutrition and food insecurity.
Urgent action is needed to address systemic issues like war and conflict, climate adaptation, and inequality, as hunger continues to rob children of their futures in 2025.
With coordinated efforts, sustainable solutions can break the cycle and restore hope for vulnerable communities.

As Africa welcomes 2025, a new analysis by Save the Children shows that hunger crisis continued its relentless grip on the continent, with at least 18.2 million children worldwide born into hunger—a rate of 35 children every minute.

Analysis of U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) data showed the number of children born into hunger rose by around 5 per cent in 2024 compared to a year earlier and 19 per cent more than the 15.3 million recorded in 2019 when progress on tackling childhood hunger began to stall.

African nations bore a disproportionate burden of this crisis, with conflict, displacement, and climate change exacerbating food insecurity and hunger, ushering millions of children into a harsh start to 2025.

Countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, and Madagascar emerged as epicenters of this awful tragedy, underscoring the urgency for systemic intervention.

War, climate woes driving hunger crisis in Africa

The double whammy of conflict and climate change has plunged millions into food insecurity across Africa. In the DRC, ongoing conflicts have left 1.6 million newborns acutely malnourished in 2024 alone, the analysis by Save the Children shows. This tragic figure represents the highest number globally and highlights the devastating impact of prolonged violence on the most vulnerable.

Sudan’s crisis is similarly severe, Save the Children noted. With famine-level malnutrition affecting half of its 18 states, children are the silent victims of a collapsing infrastructure. In South Sudan, where years of conflict have eroded resilience, families face harrowing choices daily: food or survival.

Climate change: Worsening the hunger crisis

While conflict dominates headlines, climate change quietly exacerbates Africa’s food insecurity. Madagascar, for instance, recorded 400,000 babies born into hunger in 2024. Genie*, a mother in the island nation, shared how her six-month-old daughter, Aina*, struggled to gain weight due to limited breastfeeding and the high cost of food.

Through interventions by Save the Children, Genie learned to incorporate affordable, nutritious foods into her diet, but her story reflects the broader challenges facing mothers across the continent.

In the Sahel region, recurring droughts have devastated agriculture, leaving millions reliant on emergency aid. Similarly, rising sea levels and floods in coastal regions have disrupted food production, making access to basic nutrition a daily struggle for many.

Vulnerability: The first 1,000 days of life

The first 1,000 days of life are critical for a child’s development. Yet for millions of African children born in 2024, these formative years are marred by malnutrition. Stunting—a consequence of chronic undernutrition—impairs both physical and cognitive development, perpetuating cycles of poverty.

Hannah Stephenson, Global Head of Hunger and Nutrition at Save the Children, highlighted the urgency of action: “Children should be free to play or expand their minds in class. No child should be worrying about when their next meal will be. Hunger drains childhoods and robs futures.”

“Hunger knows no boundaries. It erodes childhoods, drains children’s energy and risks robbing them of their futures. Children should be free to play or expand their minds in class. No child should be worrying about when their next meal will be.”

Breaking the cycle: Stories of resilience

Despite the grim statistics, stories of resilience offer glimmers of hope. In Balochistan, Pakistan, Uzma*, a mother of five, struggles daily to ensure her children receive adequate nutrition. Her 17-month-old daughter, Inaaya*, is recovering from malnutrition with the support of Save the Children. While Uzma’s story is not from Africa, it echoes the plight of countless African families facing similar struggles.

Closer to home, communities in drought-stricken Ethiopia have begun adopting climate-smart agriculture practices. These innovations—such as drought-resistant crops and solar-powered irrigation—are helping farmers adapt to changing weather patterns and rebuild food security.

Call to Action: A multi-faceted solution

Addressing hunger in Africa requires a holistic approach:—

Conflict Resolution: Peacebuilding initiatives must prioritize regions like the DRC and Sudan to restore stability and enable food production.

Climate Adaptation: Investment in sustainable agriculture and renewable energy can help mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Strengthened Safety Nets: Robust health, nutrition, and social protection systems are essential for shielding vulnerable populations from future shocks.

International Collaboration: Greater dialogue and funding from global leaders are crucial to addressing systemic inequalities driving food insecurity.

Stephenson underscores the need for coordinated action: “We have the tools to significantly reduce the number of malnourished children right now. But without tackling root causes, progress will continue to unravel.”

The role of African governments and organizations

African governments must play a leading role in combating hunger. Initiatives like Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) demonstrate how targeted interventions can improve food security and resilience.

Meanwhile, regional organizations like the African Union are advocating for policies that integrate food security into broader development agendas. However, the private sector also has a role to play. Companies investing in sustainable supply chains and local agriculture can help create jobs and reduce dependency on aid.

Global perspective: Africa’s hunger crisis in context

While Africa faces the brunt of the 2024 hunger crisis, it is not alone. Pakistan, for example, recorded over 1.4 million babies born into hunger, highlighting the global nature of food insecurity. Yet, Africa’s unique vulnerabilities—stemming from historical inequalities and geographic challenges—demand tailored solutions.

The fight against hunger is daunting, but progress is possible. The international community must act decisively, recognizing hunger as not just an African issue but a global one. With increased funding, innovation, and political will, the cycle of hunger can be broken.

As Stephenson poignantly remarked: “Hunger knows no boundaries. It erodes childhoods, drains children’s energy, and risks robbing them of their futures. The time to act is now.”