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A PACKET OF HOPE
"This isn't just therapeutic food, it's hope in a packet.
It's a second chance at life.”
-Liam Neeson, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
What is a Packet of Hope?
A Packet of Hope is a sachet of Ready‑to‑Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) used to treat children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. RUTF is an energy‑dense, nutrient‑rich food that does not require cooking, refrigeration, or clean water. It allows malnourished children to be treated safely at home while being monitored by trained health workers.
Why does this matter?
Severe acute malnutrition is one of the most life‑threatening conditions for children under five. Children who are severely malnourished have weakened immune systems, making even common illnesses such as diarrhea or pneumonia potentially fatal. Without timely treatment, malnutrition can quickly become life‑threatening.
Where is Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) urgently needed?
Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) is most urgently needed in fragile and emergency settings, including areas affected by:
- Conflict and displacement
- Climate‑related shocks such as drought or flooding
- Food insecurity and poverty
- Disrupted health services
Children living in these conditions are at the highest risk of malnutrition and the least able to access treatment without external support.
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The Malnutrition Crisis
Sudan is now facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.
Conflict has forced families from their homes, destroyed services, and pushed communities to the brink. In some areas, famine has already been confirmed.
In crises like these, children are among the hardest hit.
For children with severe malnutrition, their bodies become extremely weak. They are more vulnerable to infections and take longer to recover from even common illnesses. Parents see their children losing weight and strength, knowing that without treatment, they may not survive.
“They don’t sleep at night because they’re hungry,” says Zahra, a mother from Sudan
Her eldest daughter, Farisha, is extremely weak; even simple movements are a struggle.
At a UNICEF-supported nutrition centre, Zahra and her children received critical nutrition support and supplies, including ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for the children.
“At least now my children have a chance,” she says.
Your support helps UNICEF provide life-saving supplies and support to children like Farisha.
A child’s recovery starts with one packet
Each sachet of RUTF is small enough to fit in one hand and yet it can mean the difference between life and death for a malnourished child.
A Packet of Hope represents:
🍲Immediate treatment
💪A chance to recover
⭐The possibility of survival and growth
Your regular support means we can reach more children, faster, when their need is greatest.
Giving Monthly is EASY & CONVENIENT
Easier on your budget
By breaking the donation into smaller increments, you can provide meaningful support without straining your finances.
Know the difference you're making
As a monthly donor, we will keep you in the loop so that you can hear about all the difference you are making for all these children!
Flexible and hassle-free cancellation
You're in control of your gift! You can change the amount, payment information or cancel anytime you want.
You can reach children globally
UNICEF is active in more than 190 countries and territories. We can take successful approaches from one place in the world and adapt them to meet challenges elsewhere, helping drive results for children and young people at a global scale.
You can save more lives for less
As one of the world’s largest buyers of lifesaving supplies such as vaccines and mosquito nets, UNICEF has unique leverage to negotiate the lowest prices. Buying big and being transparent enables us to shape markets, cut costs and increase efficiency – and, most importantly, save more lives.
You can deliver immediate help
UNICEF is on the ground before, during and after humanitarian emergencies. We can ship lifesaving and humanitarian supplies almost anywhere in the world within 72 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can securely make a one-time or/and monthly donation online on our website on the Donate Now button.
Your contribution may be of any amount with no limitations. No donation is too small, and any donation can help save children's lives.
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. A child’s life can improve with your long-term, constant support. By donating, you become an active part of the solution and of the change process.
UNICEF asks for monthly contributions to help us provide sustainable long-term solutions to help children in around the world.
A monthly gift is a recurring gift amount that you choose to send each month, and it is even more impactful because you're 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. We couldn't continue our efforts without the support and generosity of monthly donors, and we hope you'll consider joining the UNICEF family.
Don't hesitate to contact our Donor Love Helpdesk Team at:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 1300 30 0010 (Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm)
We are happy to assist you!
Yes. With early detection and the right treatment including RUTF, most children with severe acute malnutrition can recover fully.
Severely malnourished children often cannot digest or absorb nutrients from regular food. RUTF is specially formulated to meet their medical and nutritional needs.
Yes. RUTF is approved by the World Health Organization and used globally in the treatment of severe acute malnutrition under medical supervision.
Treatment usually lasts several weeks, depending on the child’s condition and recovery progress.
No. UNICEF supports both emergency response and long‑term nutrition programmes to prevent malnutrition and strengthen health systems.