Together, we can end child hunger.
Children and young people are facing the worst hunger crisis in decades. It’s estimated that a child dies from malnutrition every 10 seconds. That’s more than 3 million children every year.
As a children’s charity, World Vision is raising awareness for this important day and highlighting the impacts of extreme hunger on children. Learn more about how we’re ending child hunger and how you can get involved.
World Hunger Day is a global day focusing on the state of hunger around the world.
The day raises awareness for the millions of people experiencing hunger across the globe, and it's an opportunity to learn how you can play your part in achieving zero hunger.
World Hunger Day has been celebrating sustainable solutions to hunger and poverty since 2011. From social media campaigns using #WorldHungerDay2026 to fundraising to end world hunger, people are getting involved to stop hunger and poverty in its tracks.
Did you know? Children in conflict zones are ‘more than twice as likely to suffer from malnutrition’ than those living elsewhere.
World Hunger Day is on Thursday 28 May 2026.
This day is more important than ever, with 673 million people in the world facing hunger. Child hunger levels are the worst they’ve been in generations because of conflict, climate change and food prices spiralling beyond reach.
Children and their families need your support to help end the hunger crisis. We believe there is enough in this world for every child, no matter where they live, or the crises they face, to have the nourishing food they need to thrive.
Around the world, children are bearing the brunt of the biggest global hunger crisis in decades. Despite global efforts, world hunger remains a challenge for millions of families. Children are suffering from malnutrition and missing out on education and future opportunities.
1.9 million
people were on the brink of famine in 2025
56% of children
under age 5 globally suffer from micronutrient deficiencies
42 million
children suffered from wasting in 2024
The theme for World Hunger Day 2026 is 'The End of Hunger is in our Hands'. Set by The Hunger Project, it highlights the contributions we all make to ending hunger: the hands that plant seeds, lift others up, learn new skills, build solutions, share knowledge, raise voices and open new futures.
Hunger is not inevitable. It is created by systems we have the power to change. This year's theme celebrates how people around the world are proving that transformation is possible: farmers regenerating their land, women leading local governments, youth launching climate-smart innovations and communities organising for their own development.
Previous themes include 'Sowing Resilience' (2025) which highlighted how investing in resilient agriculture can help communities thrive, and “Thriving Mothers. Thriving World” (2024), which focused on maternal nutrition. Each year’s theme builds on the last – driving global action to end hunger for good.
As a Christian charity, we help hungry children and young people access nutritious foods so they can experience fullness of life.
For over 75 years, we have been increasing our work year-on-year to break the cycle of hunger and malnutrition. It wouldn't be possible without generous supporters like you, helping us to reach more hungry children in the hardest places.
Tamer*, 14 months old, is one of many children caught up in Syria’s conflict. He lives in a displacement camp with his family, where he was diagnosed with severe malnutrition.
Tamer's path to malnutrition was sealed before he was born. His mother and family were caught up in a siege in western Syria. During that time, food was scarce, and all the family could access to eat was tinned food – but even that ran out.
Once the siege was lifted, Tamer’s family moved to a displacement camp. Tamer was born a year later.
*Name changed to protect identity.
As a baby, Tamer wasn’t gaining weight, and he didn’t have a healthy appetite. His mother worried about him, but there was little access to medical help - until a team of medical professionals partnering with World Vision started looking for malnourished children in their camp. This is when they came across Tamer.
The team worked with Tamer’s mother to develop a nutritious diet and routine visits to check up on his progress.
After three and a half months, Tamer’s measurements changed from red to green, indicating that he is adequately nourished.
Read more about Tamer's recovery from malnutrition.
Thanks to your generous donations, we’ve worked in some of the hardest places to provide access to essentials such as nutritious food supplies, healthcare, cash assistance, child protection and training in sustainable farming.
We believe there is enough food in this world for every child, no matter where they live, or the crises they face. That's why we're working to say ENOUGH to the worst hunger crisis in 50 years. Join the community of supporters who are taking a stand and ending child hunger.
