FAQs

• How is the global food crisis affecting children in poverty?

  As food prices climb, so do hunger and malnutrition in young children. The impact of childhood malnutrition is catastrophic and has both short- and long-term effects. The increased risks caused by malnutrition include:  

  • Diabetes, cardiovascular problems and cancer later in life
  • Growth stunting and wasting
  • Poor academic performance and intellectual development
    
  • Increased prevalence of attention deficit disorders  
    
  • Child marriage as girls are offered in marriage arrangements for dowries that will feed their families
    
  • Child labour as children leave school early to support their families
    
  • Premature death 

  Compassion’s 8,600 local church partners across over 25 countries are already responding to the global food crisis. You can help them provide immediate food packs and long-term food security by purchasing a Food Security Gift of Compassion or donating to Disaster Relief.

• What is the global food crisis?

  Conflict, extreme weather and COVID-19 have created a global food crisis that is having a devastating impact on children in poverty. According to the UN, the world is now moving backwards in its efforts to fight food insecurity and malnutrition. Because of the crisis, the number of people around the world with insufficient food has doubled. Hunger upends the lives of children in poverty and undermines holistic development.

  The global food crisis is affecting many of Compassion’s partner countries. The cost for Compassion’s church partners to provide meals for participants as part of normal programming will increase—and families will be even more reliant on those meals. Children living in poverty are likely to be at an increasingly severe risk of malnourishment or undernourishment and we must act now to bring urgent relief.

• What caused the global food crisis?

  The global food crisis has been caused by multiple factors: conflict, COVID-19, climate events and increasing costs.

  Climate

  Weather extremes pushed over 23 million people into acute food insecurity in 2021 alone. Drought is disrupting vital agriculture production, especially in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia where they’re approaching a fourth growing season without rain.

  Conflict

  The war in Ukraine is intensifying the food crisis because Russia and Ukraine are responsible for supplying almost 30 per cent of the world’s wheat and a significant amount of global fertiliser. Conflict pushed 139 million people in 24 countries into acute food insecurity in 2021.

  Costs

  There is not a shortage of food in the world but rather how much food costs and how it's being distributed. With households in emerging economies spending an average 25 per cent of their budgets on food—up to 40 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa and 60 per cent in Haiti—rising inflation will place families in desperate situations.

  COVID-19

  The pandemic has drastically increased the number of families living with acute food insecurity. Loss of work, isolation rules and other restrictions have all contributed to this new crisis. In many nations, the pandemic continues to have a devastating effect on livelihoods.

• Can I give a food package directly to my sponsored child?

  We really appreciate your desire to help your sponsored child through the provision of a food package. The funds raised through this campaign can’t be directed to an individual child. Instead, they are pooled together to provide food packages for the Compassion assisted families most in need of nutrition support across over 25 program countries.

  Please be assured that our local staff understand your sponsored child’s unique needs, including their nutrition, and they are trained to identify malnutrition and provide immediate support.

  However, you can choose to give an additional financial gift to your sponsored child or their family anytime and they will receive 100 per cent of your gift. Local workers will help your sponsored child and their family to purchase a gift that assists with their greatest needs.

  You can give a child or family gift online in My Account or by contacting us on 1300 22 44 53 or at compassion@compassion.com.au

• Doesn’t my sponsorship help provide food for my sponsored child?

  Yes, it does! Your sponsorship contributions help provide supplements to fight against malnutrition, which may include a meal or snack at the child’s local child development centre, depending on the local context and the child’s individual needs. Because our Child Sponsorship Program provides for a child’s holistic needs, your sponsorship giving also covers education support, healthcare, tutoring and mentoring, skills training and Christ-centred guidance.  

  The global food crisis is increasing the cost for Compassion’s church partners to provide meals for children as part of normal programming—and many families are now even more reliant on those meals. The cost of providing this urgent support exceeds what sponsorship giving alone can provide, which is why additional funding is needed to cover the shortfall.