Global Hunger Crisis Appeal

This growing crisis is already impacting around 20 million people in Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan.

Why is this?

Climate change, armed conflict, the flow-on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic hardship are driving this humanitarian crisis across many parts of Africa.

The situation across East Africa is particularly concerning. In South Sudan, conflict and multiple seasons of flooding are causing food insecurity. More than half of the people in the country don't have enough food, making this one of the worst hunger crises we have seen for generations.

Six consecutive seasons of failed rains across Somalia and Ethiopia are causing harvests to fail and water to dry up. There isn’t much food available in the few markets that are still open, and high fuel prices are making it difficult for people to travel to these markets.

Our partners at Somali Red Crescent provide basic health, childhood immunizations, nutritional support and maternal care to people suffering the effects of hunger. Pictured are health care professionals at a clinic in Burao where children are screened for malnutrition and supplements are provided for those who are found to be moderately or acutely malnourished. Sadly, food insecurity and its impacts are only worsening across Somalia driven by conflict, climate shocks, economic changes, poverty and marginalisation. Photo: Annalisa Ausilio/IFRC.

That’s why Australian Red Cross is now directing emergency funds to include South Sudan in addition to Ethiopia and Somalia.

How your support will help

Donations to the Global Hunger Crisis Appeal will help provide emergency assistance for people around the globe who are experiencing hunger and food insecurity.

Today, all donations to the Global Hunger Crisis Appeal will support our response in Somalia, Ethiopia, and South Sudan

That support may include:

  • Humanitarian assistance to people experiencing hunger and food insecurity. This assistance will be delivered by Red Cross and Red Crescent partners on the ground, through IFRC or ICRC Appeals, and may include activities such as food, health, water and sanitation, cash and voucher assistance as well as protection initiatives.
  • Specialist aid workers to assist local teams to respond to the crisis
  • Program support and monitoring and evaluation costs of the assistance provided on the ground

In the unlikely event that the funds raised exceed the amount required to meet the emergency needs of people in affected areas, or if there are circumstances beyond Red Cross’ control, excess funds will be directed to our work in international crises.

You have the power to make a difference

$18 could provide a family of 6 with a bag of animal feed to help keep their livestock alive

$36 could buy vaccines to treat 3 animals to help keep them healthy for food consumption

$125 could help provide a month's worth of cash to support a family of 6 people facing extreme hunger, to help buy food or pay for health care

$385 could help buy 4 goats for a family that are facing extreme hunger (this can provide a source of income for the family as well as milk for their young children)

About the Global Hunger Crisis Appeal

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and other Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners are responding to existing and emerging humanitarian needs.

This year, the ICRC has distributed cash to more than 150,000 households, helping nearly 1 million people in south and central Somalia buy a month’s worth of food. The ICRC works to strengthen resilience through seeds, tools and livestock care so that residents can better absorb recurrent shocks. And its medical professionals are running stabilisation centres in places like Somalia where kids are getting specialised nutrition care.

The IFRC and its membership have teams delivering aid in hard-to-reach communities in nearly every corner of the globe. To date, staff and volunteers from Somali Red Crescent, Ethiopian Red Cross and Kenya Red Cross have collectively reached more than 704,000 people affected by the drought, connecting them with health care and cash assistance, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene services.

Yes, you can — in fact, we really need your help. Your financial support can save lives during the worst hunger crisis to impact the East Africa in decades.

Donate online or call 1800 733 276.

Australian Red Cross Global Hunger Crisis Appeal supports people experiencing hunger around the world. Donations from Australian supporters are sent to countries with the most urgent needs. Currently, Somalia, Ethiopia, and South Sudan in East Africa are the focus of this global appeal.

That support may include:

  • Humanitarian assistance to people experiencing hunger and food insecurity. This assistance will be delivered by Red Cross and Red Crescent partners on the ground, through IFRC or ICRC Appeals, and may include activities such as food, health, water and sanitation, cash and voucher assistance as well as protection initiatives.
  • Specialist aid workers to assist local teams to respond to the crisis.
  • Program support and monitoring and evaluation costs of the assistance provided on the ground.
Yes, donations over $2 to the Global Hunger Crisis Appeal are tax-deductible in Australia. We’ll email you a receipt in your name when you donate online.
Australian Red Cross will not deduct more than 10 per cent of money raised to cover essential support costs such as receipting donations, IT costs, costs to send the money overseas and overheads. Any interest earned on donations will be invested back into the appeal.

We understand donors’ desire to help in any way they can. However, we cannot accept in-kind donations for food, clothes, medical equipment or other items as we can’t distribute these donations overseas.

Donated goods can clog ports and post offices, preventing the delivery of essential medical and relief supplies, and they’re not always what people need. Instead, cash donations help people make dignified choices that are right for them.

You can read more about the challenges of in-kind donations at DonateResponsibly.org.

Yes, you can — in fact, we really need your help. Your financial support can save lives during the worst food crisis to impact the East Africa in decades.

If you’re not sure how to get started, our fundraising toolkit is full of tips and ideas.

Visit Fundraise for Red Cross to find out more »

Only when they’re requested by our colleagues overseas. Red Cross societies in Somalia, Ethiopia and South Sudan are part of their local communities and have the skills, experience and relationships to reach people in need.

Here in Australia, we’ve got a great roster of health, water and sanitation, logistics, shelter and communications specialists, but we only put them on a plane if our local colleagues ask for extra support.

Charity donations of $2 or more to Australian Red Cross may be tax deductible in Australia. Site protected by Google Invisible reCAPTCHA. © Australian Red Cross 2023. ABN 50 169 561 394