ACF International Network
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Action Against Hunger has developed its water and sanitation expertise over nearly three decades of field work, advancing a number of solutions for populations at risk from water insecurity.
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Central to the targeting of malnutrition, Action Against Hunger extends water and sanitation improvements to communities with little or no access to proper sources.
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Action Against Hunger's programs are sustainable because of our commitment to community participation—to build local capacity and harnesses a population's energy and resources.
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Though strategies may vary, our food security interventions all share a common goal: to fight hunger by preserving and strengthening livelihoods in a sustainable and contextual manner.
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Action Against Hunger’s innovative food security programs offer a broad range of solutions for generating income, boosting food production, and strengthening livelihoods.
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Our comprehensive approach to hunger involves extending water and sanitation services to communities faced with water scarcity, unsafe drinking water, and inadequate sanitation.
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Action Against Hunger occupies a unique place among international organizations: our expertise encompasses emergency relief, longer-term development, and the terrain in between.
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We have developed an effective method to treat acute malnutrition that includes field-tested protocols and nutritional products backed by an international scientific advisory committee.
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Action Against Hunger helps rehabilitate and restock public health infrastructure, fields mobile health clinics, and trains local medical personnel on preventative and diagnostic care.
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Our comprehensive programs address the linkages between disease and malnutrition by coordinating with local expertise and strengthening existing public health systems.
ACF International Map
Where We Work

Malawi
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In 1990 and 1991, natural disasters (earthquakes and floods) worsened the food shortage suffered by the rural population (90% of the total). It is estimated that 70% of the population is suffering from hunger, where children and the elderly are most at risk.

Program Information

Directing HQ: 
Action Against Hunger - Spain
Launch Date: 
January 2002
World Region: 
Africa
Location(s): 
28 districts throughout the country
Expatriates: 
10
Local Staff: 
140
Beneficiaries: 
40,000people
Funding: 
European Union, NAC, UNICEF, WFP, AECI, ACCD

Humanitarian Context

In 1990 and 1991, natural disasters (earthquakes and floods) worsened the food shortage suffered by the rural population (90% of the total). Privatization of the corn market benefited only a few producers. The dry season, which affected vast regions of Africa, almost completely dried up the River Shire, one of the country's main watercourses.

In 1998, it was estimated that the subterranean water reserves across the region would take 1,400 years to replenish themselves. Between 1998 and 1999, 500 people died as a result of the cholera epidemic which affected some 15,000 people.

In 2002 a state of natural disaster was declared due to the high number of deaths caused by food shortages. The Government is accused of having sold its grain stock to Kenya at a loss, forcing its people to consume unripe cereals. Problems with food aid distribution are made worse by access problems to the most vulnerable population (floods and poor state of roads and railway tracks). It is estimated that 70% of the population is suffering from hunger, where children and the elderly are most at risk.

Area(s) of Work

Nutrition: 
  • Supporting the Ministry of Health in detecting and treating malnutrition
  • Supporting the Nutritional Rehabilitation Teams in applying national protocols for the treatment of malnutrition
  • Monitoring the general nutritional situation and early warning system
  • Food and health education, including HIV/AIDS prevention and education about the nutritional needs of infected persons
  • Training in HIV/AIDS
  • Researching and educating the Ministry of Health staff about the links between HIV/AIDS and malnutrition, and about the appropriate care needed
  • Support to the five most vulnerable districts of the country in food supplementation
    Food supply
Food Security: 
  • Food security surveillance system and early warning system
  • Promotion of agricultural diversification
  • Agricultural recovery, especially families affected by HIV/AIDS