Disease & Hunger

Global Hunger Is a Health Problem

A mother wearing a mask holds her baby in her lap while sitting on the floor. WFP/Hugh Rutherford

Extreme hunger leaves people vulnerable to infectious diseases like cholera, malaria, pneumonia and measles, which can spread through communities like wildfire. The sickest and most malnourished die. Those who survive could face the lingering effects of hunger and malnutrition for the rest of their lives.

How Hunger Impacts Health

343M

343 million people are facing extreme hunger

#1

Malnutrition is the single largest contributor to disease in the world.

12x

Malnourished children are up to 12 times more likely to die than a healthy child.

female farmers in the field WFP/Sayed Asif Mahmud

How Hunger Is Linked to Disease

Hunger Increases Risk of Infection

Extreme hunger manifests in weakness, pain, weight loss, impaired thinking and a compromised immune system. When people don’t have adequate food, it weakens their ability to fight off infection, and common illnesses can become life-threatening.

Illness makes people vulnerable to malnutrition, especially in crisis zones where they lack access to lifesaving health services and medicine. Even if they can access food, diseases like diarrhea can cause dehydration and affect a person’s ability to absorb nutrients, which worsens hunger.

Malnourished mothers give birth to malnourished babies who are more susceptible to illness, infection and long-term health problems, perpetuating an intergenerational cycle of hunger for millions of families around the world.

How WFP Treats Disease and Hunger

Lifesaving Food

As one of the world’s largest hunger-fighting organizations, WFP provides nourishing food to over 100 million people every year, over half of whom are women and children. WFP food baskets provide the standard 2,100 calories each person needs daily for energy and the right balance of other macronutrients and micronutrients.

Malnutrition Services

Proper nutrition is most critical in the first 1,000 days of life – from a mother’s pregnancy to a child’s second birthday. During this window, WFP provides food designed specifically to treat and prevent malnutrition in children. These nutrient-dense foods are high in calories and meet their specific nutritional needs.

Pandemic Relief

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, WFP scaled up logistics for the entire U.N. and global humanitarian community. This included air, sea and land transportation, worldwide supply chains and warehouses, and MEDEVAC services for health workers to ensure aid reached communities quickly and efficiently.

Latest News

122 Million More People Pushed Into Hunger Since 2019, Reveals UN Report

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