Children across Eastern and Southern Africa are facing serious challenges with nutrition, but together, we can change their future. While issues like malnutrition and lack of essential nutrients affect millions, your donation can be the catalyst for hope and progress.
Over 30% of children under 5 (around 26 million) suffer from stunting, and many face challenges like severe wasting or nutrient deficiencies. But through your generosity, these children can receive life-saving treatments and have a chance at a brighter, healthier future.
- Severe wasting, also known as "severe acute malnutrition" (SAM), which is life-threatening, also remains a critical problem - only 2.3 million children received treatment in 2023, and this is only 58% of those who need it.
- More than half of the children in the region lack essential vitamins and minerals, weakening their immune systems and slowing down their development. For girls, this can lead to complications in future pregnancies, putting the next generation at risk of malnutrition as well. Nearly half of all deaths among children under 5 in the region are linked to undernutrition.
- The numbers of children that have overweight and obesity problems is rising, affecting nearly 4 million children under 5, and up to 11% of children aged 5 to 19. This leads to lifelong health risks like diabetes and heart disease and places a heavy financial burden on healthcare systems.
Poor diets are at the heart of all the above problems. Two out of three children under 5 do not get the diverse and nutritious food they need to grow healthy. Around 67 million children in the region are living in food poverty, with 25 million of them experiencing severe food poverty, meaning they have access to very limited food options.
Good nutrition is the foundation of a healthy, happy childhood. Every child deserves access to nutritious food that helps them grow, learn, and thrive. Your support makes this possible.
rgb(28,171,226)
Preventing malnutrition: UNICEF's mission in Eastern and Southern Africa
UNICEF collaborates with governments and partners across the 21 countries in the region to develop solutions, as we want to address all forms of malnutrition, and focus on prevention before it begins. This involves taking early action to tackle the root causes of malnutrition at every stage - early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, and in women. We work to improve access to nutritious, safe, affordable, and sustainable diets for both children and women.
UNICEF's efforts and results, across 21 countries in the region:
- Health systems, including community platforms, that provide malnutrition prevention services for all children and identify and treat child wasting. These services are now available in every country.
- Food systems that promote nutritious foods, healthy eating environments, and positive food practices for children. We are rolling out the "First Foods" for children in Africa initiative in 15 countries so far.
- Social protection systems that tackle child poverty, a major cause of malnutrition, by linking them to health-based nutrition services and food system initiatives. Currently, 12 countries are offering or developing social protection programs that integrate nutrition services.
- Water and sanitation systems that create healthy living, playing, and learning environments for children.
- Education systems that provide nutritious meals, nutrition education, and healthy food environments in and around schools. To date, 15 countries have introduced nutrition programs within their education systems.
Join the movement and be a champion for children.
You have the power to create lasting change. By supporting UNICEF, whether through a one-time gift or a monthly contribution, you’re ensuring that children get the healthy start they need to reach their full potential. Your contribution goes directly to providing children with the nourishment they need to thrive—not just today, but for a lifetime.
Your donation, no matter the amount, can make a lasting impact on the lives of children in Eastern and Southern Africa. Together, we can bring hope and create a healthier, brighter future for every child in the region.
Got questions? We've got answers:
We don’t currently have offline fundraisers collecting donations for UNICEF.
If you are approached by anyone claiming to be UNICEF, do not give any personal details or transfer funds.
You can support our efforts in helping vulnerable children by donating online on this secure official webpage. In case you have doubts about the authenticity of the page, please contact us at donations-esar@unicef.org.
Please do not share any sensitive/banking card information with any individuals who may ask you for this type of information, either online or offline.
You can securely make a one-time and/or a monthly donation, on this page, by clicking on the donation buttons. Please select the donation amount that you want to give, then continue with the next steps to finish your donation.
No donation is too small, and any donation can help save children's lives.
You choose for how long you wish to donate: monthly or only once. In order to contribute to a fundamental change in the lives of vulnerable children, the longer you choose to get involved, the more powerful your donation will be. Vulnerable children’s lives can improve if you are a part of and contribute to the work that we are doing, and to the solutions that we are providing. By donating, you become an active part of the solution and change process.
A monthly donation is a recurring gift amount that you choose to send each month, and it is even more impactful, as this means that you'll be helping children every single day.
Your monthly gift will also enable us to plan effectively in our upcoming work, reduce costs and most importantly, reach even more children in need. The support and generosity of monthly donors contribute significantly to UNICEF's efforts to help vulnerable children.
Your donation is used to support UNICEF's programmes for children in need in Eastern and Southern Africa.
UNICEF encourages monthly donations to help us deliver sustainable, long-term solutions for children both in the region and globally.
Donating online through our UNICEF official websites is just as safe as any other online payment.
We use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption to protect your information and ensure that your donation is secure. Your card and personal data will be safe and secure.
UNICEF does not have access to your bank card details, we will only have access to the contact details you provide in the donation form: name, surname, e-mail and phone number.
Yes, you will receive an automatic "Thank You" email which can be used as a receipt for your donation.
UNICEF does not offer sponsorship of individual children. Instead, your donation goes to help many more of the most vulnerable children in Eastern and Southern Africa. This may include public health emergencies, quality education, ending child poverty, protection against violence and providing safe, clean water.
You can reach out to us by sending an email to donations-esar@unicef.org. We are here to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.