Malnourished children are highly susceptible to development issues, deformations and life-long, chronic conditions. Malnutrition in the early years of life results in poor immune systems and contributes to life-long health issues. It is so important that children receive the right foods early in their development to ensure they have the best start in life possible.

Far too often in developing countries such as Ethiopia, Somalia and even Egypt, famines are a way of life. The harsh climate and unpredictable rain patterns mean food supplies are often inconsistent and children miss out on adequate nutrition.

Reaction to Food Crisies is much more complicated than simply delivering food supplies to countries with shortages.  Often, infrastructure has been damaged and growing patterns are hard to reestablish.

The most effective solutions occur with changes at the structural  level. One example is Ethiopia, where drought has forced farmers to diversity their crops and include species more resistant to drought and amend their farming techniques to compensate for changing climates and trading patterns.

War and internal conflict is another culprit, it destroys farms and plantations and pollutes soils and water supplies. The conflict also cuts off import and export activity and food supplies suffer. Within this context, large groups of people are displaced and overpopulate an area, not allowing for farm plots or resulting in slums in un-growable conditions.

Internally displaced persons are the largest group in crisis with families separated and children often abandoned in the exodous from war-torn cities.  FREEDOM FROM HUNGER

CAUSE AND EFFECT

The result? At present in Somalia one in every five children is malnourished and one in every twenty-two is severely malnourished. Malnutrition is the insufficient, excessive or imbalanced consumption of nutrients that can result in severe health complications, but it is also easily preventable. You can help a child eat their way away from poor health and give them a great starting point.