Despite progress globally, South Africa’s children suffer high rates of stunting (22%) and low exclusive breastfeeding (43.8%). Meanwhile, the rising cost of food (5.1% increase in a year) pushes healthy diets out of reach for many. Urgent action is needed to ensure all South Africans have access to nutritious food.
South Africa is grappling with an unprecedented hunger crisis as soaring food prices leave millions, especially children and women, without access to adequate diets. This dire situation is exacerbated by frequent climate shocks, ongoing conflicts, economic downturns, and the lingering impacts of COVID-19, all of which disrupt food systems and deepen poverty and inequality. The result is a relentless cycle of all forms of malnutrition and infection with devastating consequences. Everyone deserves access to healthy, affordable food and quality nutrition care. Today, 9.34 million South Africans experience chronic hunger daily, the need for sustainable diets, services and practices that provide, promote and support good nutrition has never been greater.
Operation Hunger is tackling this crisis head-on with systemic solutions that address the root causes and empower communities for sustainable change. Your support is crucial—act now to help us break the cycle of hunger and malnutrition. Together, we can create a future where every South African has the opportunity to thrive.
