From Prevention to Recovery
This is a one in a generation opportunity to fundamentally redesign the way the world treats malnutrition – from a reactive system focused on treating crisis to one that prevents it. This is the moment to accelerate innovation, strengthen local systems and invest in scalable solutions that achieve more for every dollar spent.
For decades, we have relied on fragmented, short-term approaches that can no longer keep pace. To tackle this crisis in the long-term, children need both treatment and prevention.
Too many children have historically been reached only after malnutrition has become severe, dangerous and expensive to treat.
Acting earlier can save more lives, reduce costs, and help families protect children in the most vulnerable communities before crisis takes hold. While prevention is not a new idea, it is newly urgent.
The world does not need new solutions to end childhood hunger – it needs the commitment to scale what works.
Health volunteer Selviana (36) screens John* (2) to determine if he's underweight in a remote village on the island of Sumba, one of Indonesia’s least developed islands. Sacha Myers / Save the Children
OUR FOUR PILLARS TO END MALNUTRITION
The good news is that 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.
Our model is built on four mutually reinforcing pillars, designed to maximise child survival, cost effectiveness, and long-term impact:
Jamila, 40yrs old, is at a stabilization center with her daughter Kamila, who is suffering from malnutrition. "I'm not able to breastfeed properly because I don't have enough to eat myself; I can only manage to prepare two meals a day. That's why Kamila is malnourished," Jamila shared candidly. This is not the first time Jamila has faced such a situation; Kamila is her third child to be admitted to the stabilization center due to malnutrition. Despite the repetitive cycle of hardships, Jamila remains hopeful for her daughter's recovery and is taking the necessary steps by seeking medical assistance at the center. Mustafa Saeed / Save the Children
Paula* and her six-month-old baby are participants in the MAMI program in Buenaventura. Save the Children
Eman*, 80, holds 9-month-old grandson, Nader*, as he is screened for malnutrition with a MUAC band, by a nurse at the Save the Children supported Health Unit. Eman*, 80, is struggling to feed and care for her six grandchildren, with no reliable income and dwindling resources. Her son – the children's father – cannot find steady work, and his wife is gravely ill and unable to care for her own children. Before the war, the family kept cattle, made cheese to sell, and had modest savings. With prices rising and no credit available, they now survive on bread, tea, and occasional porridge and rice, often going to bed without dinner. Several of Eman's* grandchildren, including Mona* and Nader*, recently began showing dangerous signs of malnutrition, but thanks to a Save the Children-supported health centre, they were able to get help. Staff provided nutritional supplements and gave Eman* the knowledge and tools to support their recovery. Both children have shown real signs of improvement, with Nader* making encouraging progress after having been visibly emaciated. Ahmed Albasha / Save the Children
Lucy (8 months) plays with Jemima from Save the Children, Turkana, Kenya. Sacha Myers / Save the Children
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.
INNOVATIVE APPROACHES
We invest in innovations that reach undeserved populations, strengthen local ownership, make programmes more inclusive and ensure communities themselves help shape the solutions that affect their lives.
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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.