Our commitment to innovation and evidence generation
What distinguishes Save the Children is our ability to combine large-scale delivery, innovation and evidence generation. We not only deliver services, we help governments and partners adopt approaches that continue benefiting children long after a project ends.
We believe that lasting progress against malnutrition requires more than scaling established interventions. It requires identifying gaps that others overlook, testing new approaches, generating evidence, and translating learning into practical solutions that can transform systems.
At Save the Children, we invest in innovations that reach underserved populations, strengthen local ownership, make programmes more inclusive, and ensure communities themselves help shape the solutions that affect their lives.
The world does not need new solutions to end childhood hunger – it needs the commitment to scale what works.
Roya* (18 mths) is malnourished and is given a check-up by Ahmad* a Save the Children Nutrition Nurse Sacha Myers/Save the Children
OUR INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR CHILD SURVIVAL
We want to ensure that the solutions we provide are shaped by the communities they serve. That is why through our programmes we aim to involve children and caregivers directly and encourage them to influence our programme design and delivery.
These are some of our innovative programmes and approaches we have implemented globally:
Save the Children provides an immediate lifeline to conflict-displaced families by operating mobile medical clinics and fixed health facilities. The response pairs critical trauma care and vaccination drive with essential Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs, ensuring that children have the clean water and sanitation necessary to survive disease outbreaks and live with dignity. Additionally, Save the Children employs a "screen and treat" model that delivers life-saving therapeutic supplements to thousands of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Through our CMAM and "Assida Plus" initiatives, we integrate clinical treatment with proactive family support (MAMI), creating a vital shield against starvation and securing the long-term developmental health of Sudan’s most vulnerable children. Anwar Hamid/ Save the Children
Reaching vulnerable infants earlier
Elemo, 3 height is measured by health worker at an outpatient clinic in Kenya Sam Vox / Save the Children
Bringing treatment closer to children’s homes
Resourcing Families for Better Nutrition
Making Nutrition Accessible for Every Child
Joseph*, 13, and Martin*, 12, are two Cameroonian refugee children in Nigeria, who got together after their families fled the war in their home country in 2018 and relocated into a refugee settlement in Ogoja, Nigeria. The two children have a lot in common, most significantly their love for sculpture. Martin* finds solitude in sculpture, and his shy personality is inspired by receiving praise for his work and watching his friend Jospeh* creating sculpture. Despite feeling much improvement in his sculpture skills and kind of material he could use, Martin* has got mixed feelings about living in Nigeria, as he’s concerned about his family’s financial situation, livelihood and access to food and basic services. Similar to Martin*, Joseph* is motivated and inspired by the praise he receives for his art. He loves spending time with Martin and sculpturing has created a strong bond between the two children. Joseph* believes his sculpturing abilities hugely improved since arriving to Nigeria, and he got the opportunity to return to school after having to drop for nearly five years in Cameroon. Joseph*’s family had to spend three years living in the forests in Cameroon, striving to stay safe after they had to flee their home due to the war. The mother finally managed to save some money to afford the one-day journey to Nigeria. Save the Children provided the families of both children with access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene kits, as well as running the Child Friendly Space that both children attend in the settlement. Save the Children
Building Local Solutions for Malnutrition
Amina*, 25, is a mother of three children living in a remote village located about six hours from Adado. Her youngest child, Hassan*, who is 2 years old, was diagnosed with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). Hassan* was sick for 20 days at home, his condition gradually worsening over time. Amina* then travelled for four hours to the hospital to seek medical care and treatment. Upon arrival at the hospital, Hassan* was admitted and enrolled in a treatment programme for Severe Acute Malnutrition. The child is now receiving medical care and nutritional support. Mustafa Saeed / Save the Children
Driving More Impact with Every Dollar
Nourished Futures
Learn about our global initiative to treat and prevent child malnutrition and illness in the toughest humanitarian contexts.
Why Now?
Malnutrition is one of the greatest and most preventable threats to children's survival. The solutions are simple. Yet, funding cuts and converging crises mean more children are in urgent need of treatment and lasting solutions.
Hunger: The Solution
We know what works. From preventing malnutrition before it starts, to delivering life-saving treatment, to strengthening food systems – the solutions are proven and scalable.
Partner With Us
Save the Children has decades of experience working alongside governments, communities and partners to achieve measurable impact.
News, Stories & Reports
Super El Niño threatens to push 8 million children into acute hunger across East and Southern Africa by early 2027 – Save the Children
About 8 million children across East and Southern Africa could face acute hunger by early 2027, a rise of 30%, as one of the strongest El Nino weather events in recent years fuels a growing food crisis, according to new analysis by Save the Children.
10 Sep 2026
Child malnutrition rises sharply in Uganda as El Nino-linked dry spells take their toll
The number of acutely malnourished children in the Karamoja region of northeastern Uganda is expected to rise by 25% by October 2026 with El Niño-related dry spells significantly impacting children’s health.
27 Aug 2026
Hunger in Zambia set to dramatically worsen as El Niño looms
The number of people facing crisis levels of hunger in Zambia is projected to jump 72%, as anticipated El Niño drought and the conflict in the Middle East threaten to push more families into hunger.