London, 15 June 2023 — The Power of Nutrition today announces a new partnership with the humanitarian aid organisation International Medical Corps as it steps up its humanitarian response to the global malnutrition crisis. The partnership kicks-off with a $130,000 co-funded nutrition project for drought-affected households in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, using funds raised from the organisation’s global malnutrition crisis appeal.

Ethiopia, along with other countries across the Horn of Africa, is experiencing an extreme malnutrition crisis. Climate change has led to the region’s worst drought in the last 40 years and five consecutive failed harvests. The UN estimates that more than 20 million people are impacted and in need of food assistance.

The drought comes at a time of record global inflation, causing both the prices of food and fertiliser to soar, further exacerbating the numbers of those hungry and malnourished.

The Power of Nutrition joins forces with International Medical Corps as its first and dedicated humanitarian aid partner in response to this growing crisis. Their first work together will reach communities in need of support in East Hararghe, by working with local community health workers to improve diets in households by providing goats and poultry, along with supporting infant and young-child feeding activities. This important work aims to sustainably prevent malnutrition, prioritising households with pregnant women and with young children. It will be complemented by International Medical Corps’ wider work supporting local health facilities to provide malnutrition treatment.

Dr Alok Ranjan, Director of Programmes and Investments at The Power of Nutrition, said: “Our programmes have always aimed to provide a balance between providing urgent treatment and creating sustainable solutions that help communities break the cycle of malnutrition and poverty. The global malnutrition crisis we’re facing however is unprecedented, and as such we’re pleased to be working with International Medical Corps to allow us to reach more in such urgent need.

The crisis is taking a grip on many countries who did little to contribute to the factors that caused it. This is just the start of our work in response and we continue to engage with new partners to expand our support for more vulnerable populations.”

David Eastman, Senior Director of International Programs at International Medical Corps, added: ”This generous donation by The Power of Nutrition will enable International Medical Corps, which has worked in Ethiopia since 2003, to further expand our efforts to fight malnutrition in that country, where women, children and men are suffering from years of drought and conflict. Thanks to this support, we will be able to provide critical livelihoods and livestock support, enabling at-risk people to help themselves.”

The work in Ethiopia is thanks to generous donations from The Power of Nutrition’s private and public sector partners. Currently 43 million people across 51 countries are on the edge of famine as the global malnutrition crisis worsens. To find out more about The Power of Nutrition’s appeal and to consider donating, visit: https://www.powerofnutrition.org/global-malnutrition-crisis/.