Source: World Vision
- 148 million children globally are stunted, with a further 45 million children suffering from wasting
- Half of all deaths among children under five are linked to malnutrition
- World Vision New Zealand calling on global leaders and donors to act with urgency to end child malnutrition
As the world prepares to mark World Food Day 2025 (16 October), World Vision New Zealand is calling on global leaders and donors for urgent investment in child nutrition to end the preventable crisis of child malnutrition, which continues to jeopardise the health and futures of millions of children.
Globally, a staggering 148 million children are stunted and 45 million suffer from wasting-conditions that rob them of health, potential, and life. Nearly half of all deaths among children under five are linked to malnutrition.
“These aren’t just numbers-they represent futures lost,” says TJ Grant, Acting National Director of World Vision New Zealand. “Every child deserves the food they need to develop a healthy body and mind. Malnutrition doesn’t just stunt growth-it steals potential and robs the world of future leaders, innovators, and changemakers. We cannot allow this injustice to continue.”
Child hunger: A crisis demanding urgent investment
Grant says innovative financing solutions, such as blended finance, are critical to help scale nutrition-specific interventions, such as micronutrient supplementation and the promotion of breastfeeding.
The 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report reveals that funding to fight food insecurity is fragmented and far below what’s needed to achieve the UN’s 2030 goals to end hunger and malnutrition, especially in low- and middle-income countries. “Without a radical shift in how we finance nutrition, we will continue to fall short. The world, including New Zealand, must commit more funds to eliminate child wasting, stunting, and anemia, he says.
Child hunger is worsening due to conflict and climate change
In regions like Sudan and Gaza, war and displacement are leaving millions of children without enough to eat.
In Sudan, conflict has displaced over 14 million people, with famine-like conditions emerging in North Darfur. In Zamzam Refugee Camp, a child dies every two hours from hunger.
In Gaza, the UN confirmed famine in August 2025-the first ever time famine has been declared in the Middle East. More than 500,000 people face starvation, with tens of thousands of children and pregnant women at risk of severe malnutrition by mid-2026.
Hunger and climate change: A vicious cycle
Grant says growing food insecurity and malnutrition is being further exacerbated by climate change.
“Droughts, floods, and extreme weather destroy crops, kill livestock, and disrupt food systems-hitting the poorest communities hardest. In countries like Afghanistan, Malawi, Uganda, and Tanzania, food scarcity forces families to settle for cheap, insufficient meals instead of healthy, nutritious options-leaving children malnourished and more vulnerable to illness and death.”
This World Food Day, World Vision is calling on global leaders and donors to act with urgency and courage to help end child malnutrition.
“Hunger is not about scarcity-it’s about inequality, broken systems, and a lack of political will,” says Grant. “There is enough food for every child. What’s missing is action.”
World Vision is urging the New Zealand Government to:
- Increase overseas development assistance (ODA), with a focus on child nutrition
- Fund school meal programmes where they do not yet exist
- Support climate-resilient, inclusive food systems, particularly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia
“New Zealand must do its part to end child malnutrition. As a global food producer and a member of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, our Government has a responsibility to promote policies that ensure all children get the nutrition they need and support climate-resilient food systems, particularly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. By investing in children’s nutrition, we build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities. The choice is clear: act now or let another generation be defined by hunger.”
New Zealanders can support children facing food insecurity in some of the world’s toughest places, here: www.wvnz.org.nz/WFP
Stats and figures noted within the release can be found in the references noted below:
