Latest news with #ActionAgainstHunger
CNN
10 hours ago
- Health
- CNN
These former USAID staff are working to match donors to urgent, lifesaving aid projects that had their funding slashed
In a warehouse in northeast Nigeria, a nonprofit's stocks of food to treat malnourished children and pregnant women are running low. The organization, Action Against Hunger (ACF), is running a project to combat malnutrition that had been relying on funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to procure much-needed therapeutic food sachets. But the project was intermittently suspended, leaving ACF unable to procure enough of the nutrient-rich food during the peak season of malnutrition. It's one of the many urgent, lifesaving aid projects left in limbo and in need of additional resources following the Trump administration's dismantling of USAID. But now, a group of former USAID staff has come together to connect big donors with cost-effective projects like this, which desperately need cash to carry out operations already in the pipeline. The primary goal is 'to save as many lives as possible,' said Robert Rosenbaum, a former USAID portfolio manager and one of the people spearheading the initiative, which they are calling Project Resource Optimization (PRO). 'At this point, there really are people who are dying as a result of these (budget) decisions and this halting of the work.' Rosenbaum said that thinking about cuts to American programs tackling things like malnutrition, extreme poverty and disease prevention was keeping him up at night after he lost his job earlier this year. So, he and other laid-off USAID workers decided to do something. They began vetting projects being carried out by USAID partner organizations, which had abruptly lost their funding earlier this year. They gradually built a spreadsheet – dubbed the Urgent & Vetted Projects list – and started matchmaking, setting up meetings between the most critical and cost-effective programs and donors who wanted to help, but didn't know where to start. The spreadsheet was first inspired by reach-outs from a few small family foundations seeking expert guidance on where to best put their dollars, amid the initial uncertainty surrounding US government aid cuts. But it quickly grew into something bigger. It became clear to Rosenbaum that there was an opportunity to 'expand the overall pool of private philanthropy' and bring in donations from people who might not have considered giving to international aid projects until this year. 'There have been a handful of folks who have come out of the woodwork and literally written us an email that's like, 'I set aside $100,000, $200,000, a million dollars… And this is exactly how I want to think about giving… So, help us figure out how to do this,'' he said. Earlier this week, the PRO team also launched a tool for smaller donors to contribute online, crowdfunding for some of the most critical aid projects. Now, anyone can give a one-time or monthly contribution to the team's 'Rapid Response Fund' to support vetted projects in Sudan, Haiti, Nigeria and more. 'For most of the humanitarian projects that we've talked to… sometime this summer, if the funding doesn't come through, the lights will go off and it will be very hard to stand back up,' Rosenbaum said. 'Part of what we're offering for funders is that the fixed cost of standing these projects up has already been taken on by the US government. The staff has already been hired, they're trained, they're in place. The commodities, in many cases, have been procured and are sitting in a warehouse,' Rosenbaum said. 'There's all these efficiencies. 'But the flip side is that the cost of shutting them down is extraordinarily high,' he added, noting that typically it takes years for local organizations to build trust with authorities, leaders and communities. In Mali, an organization called the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) was at risk of shutting down a project that delivers medical care to children under five, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, as well as providing mobile health clinics to internally displaced people. 'We were forced to suspend activities and reduce activities at different points,' said Carlota Ruiz, the organization's head of grant management, adding that more than half ALIMA's operating budget in Mali had come from USAID. 'One of our main concerns in terms of navigating suspensions or project closures was the risk to our credibility and our relationships with the Ministry of Health and the communities that we work with.' Weeks ago, the organization was facing the prospect of shutting down vital services, but now a new grant will allow ALIMA to provide 70,000 medical consultations to people in need and treat more than 5,000 children with severe acute malnutrition. 'We had a foundation reach out to us, saying that they were interested in funding our project in Mali, and that they had based this decision in large part on the analysis that the PRO had done,' Ruiz told CNN. 'That was just a huge relief and a breath of fresh air for all of us.' Meanwhile, in Nigeria, ACF says it is close to securing funding to keep one of its malnutrition projects going, after coordinating with the PRO team. The funding will go towards procuring more ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF). The timing was 'extremely critical,' according to an ACF staff member on the ground. 'June, July, and August, including part (of) September, are the highest months in Nigeria in terms of malnutrition and food insecurity,' the staff member, who asked not to be named, told CNN. 'So having these supplies in a situation where the (other) funding mechanisms are stalled… will make a big difference in terms of continuity of lifesaving activities.' But the funding will only go towards that one project. ACF also supports programs in northern Nigeria that provide food assistance, clean water and sanitation, and support hundreds of health clinics. 'It will be very meaningful, and it will be really very useful to ensure continuity of activity and save the lives of thousands of children,' the ACF worker said of the grant about to be finalized. 'But this project cannot address all the other aspects of our work.'
CNN
10 hours ago
- Health
- CNN
These former USAID staff are working to match donors to urgent, lifesaving aid projects that had their funding slashed
In a warehouse in northeast Nigeria, a nonprofit's stocks of food to treat malnourished children and pregnant women are running low. The organization, Action Against Hunger (ACF), is running a project to combat malnutrition that had been relying on funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to procure much-needed therapeutic food sachets. But the project was intermittently suspended, leaving ACF unable to procure enough of the nutrient-rich food during the peak season of malnutrition. It's one of the many urgent, lifesaving aid projects left in limbo and in need of additional resources following the Trump administration's dismantling of USAID. But now, a group of former USAID staff has come together to connect big donors with cost-effective projects like this, which desperately need cash to carry out operations already in the pipeline. The primary goal is 'to save as many lives as possible,' said Robert Rosenbaum, a former USAID portfolio manager and one of the people spearheading the initiative, which they are calling Project Resource Optimization (PRO). 'At this point, there really are people who are dying as a result of these (budget) decisions and this halting of the work.' Rosenbaum said that thinking about cuts to American programs tackling things like malnutrition, extreme poverty and disease prevention was keeping him up at night after he lost his job earlier this year. So, he and other laid-off USAID workers decided to do something. They began vetting projects being carried out by USAID partner organizations, which had abruptly lost their funding earlier this year. They gradually built a spreadsheet – dubbed the Urgent & Vetted Projects list – and started matchmaking, setting up meetings between the most critical and cost-effective programs and donors who wanted to help, but didn't know where to start. The spreadsheet was first inspired by reach-outs from a few small family foundations seeking expert guidance on where to best put their dollars, amid the initial uncertainty surrounding US government aid cuts. But it quickly grew into something bigger. It became clear to Rosenbaum that there was an opportunity to 'expand the overall pool of private philanthropy' and bring in donations from people who might not have considered giving to international aid projects until this year. 'There have been a handful of folks who have come out of the woodwork and literally written us an email that's like, 'I set aside $100,000, $200,000, a million dollars… And this is exactly how I want to think about giving… So, help us figure out how to do this,'' he said. Earlier this week, the PRO team also launched a tool for smaller donors to contribute online, crowdfunding for some of the most critical aid projects. Now, anyone can give a one-time or monthly contribution to the team's 'Rapid Response Fund' to support vetted projects in Sudan, Haiti, Nigeria and more. 'For most of the humanitarian projects that we've talked to… sometime this summer, if the funding doesn't come through, the lights will go off and it will be very hard to stand back up,' Rosenbaum said. 'Part of what we're offering for funders is that the fixed cost of standing these projects up has already been taken on by the US government. The staff has already been hired, they're trained, they're in place. The commodities, in many cases, have been procured and are sitting in a warehouse,' Rosenbaum said. 'There's all these efficiencies. 'But the flip side is that the cost of shutting them down is extraordinarily high,' he added, noting that typically it takes years for local organizations to build trust with authorities, leaders and communities. In Mali, an organization called the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) was at risk of shutting down a project that delivers medical care to children under five, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, as well as providing mobile health clinics to internally displaced people. 'We were forced to suspend activities and reduce activities at different points,' said Carlota Ruiz, the organization's head of grant management, adding that more than half ALIMA's operating budget in Mali had come from USAID. 'One of our main concerns in terms of navigating suspensions or project closures was the risk to our credibility and our relationships with the Ministry of Health and the communities that we work with.' Weeks ago, the organization was facing the prospect of shutting down vital services, but now a new grant will allow ALIMA to provide 70,000 medical consultations to people in need and treat more than 5,000 children with severe acute malnutrition. 'We had a foundation reach out to us, saying that they were interested in funding our project in Mali, and that they had based this decision in large part on the analysis that the PRO had done,' Ruiz told CNN. 'That was just a huge relief and a breath of fresh air for all of us.' Meanwhile, in Nigeria, ACF says it is close to securing funding to keep one of its malnutrition projects going, after coordinating with the PRO team. The funding will go towards procuring more ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF). The timing was 'extremely critical,' according to an ACF staff member on the ground. 'June, July, and August, including part (of) September, are the highest months in Nigeria in terms of malnutrition and food insecurity,' the staff member, who asked not to be named, told CNN. 'So having these supplies in a situation where the (other) funding mechanisms are stalled… will make a big difference in terms of continuity of lifesaving activities.' But the funding will only go towards that one project. ACF also supports programs in northern Nigeria that provide food assistance, clean water and sanitation, and support hundreds of health clinics. 'It will be very meaningful, and it will be really very useful to ensure continuity of activity and save the lives of thousands of children,' the ACF worker said of the grant about to be finalized. 'But this project cannot address all the other aspects of our work.'
Associated Press
13-06-2025
- General
- Associated Press
The Roger Effect: How One Refugee Father Transformed His Family and Community
Posted by Action Against Hunger . By Diana Sharone Tumuhairwe. When Roger Okuna fled Congo with his wife and four children (ages ten, five, three, and one), life was brutal. They arrived at the Uganda 's Kyangwali refugee settlement in November 2023 and were supplied with blankets, fuel containers, and a few meager provisions. Sadly, a robber took everything, and the family was once again left with nothing. 'We didn't have food to eat,' Roger recounts, the memory still raw. 'I once went hungry for three days.' A pastor in the refugee settlement heard of his plight and offered him 20,000 Uganda shillings ($6) and some food. It kept them going for a few days, but the constant worry about feeding his young family, especially his pregnant wife, took a heavy toll. Roger is hypertensive, and his blood pressure soared. While mornings brought hope and promise for many people, Roger dreaded mornings. 'Every time the morning came, I dreaded what the day would hold, what were we going to eat? I preferred the nighttime,' Roger recounted. For six months, he made a living with whatever labor he could find, but the income was barely enough to survive on. Then, his life turned a corner. Roger and his family were enrolled in the Action Against Hunger's Fresh Food Program, which supports refugees and households with pregnant and lactating women. The family received monthly Fresh Food Vouchers pre-loaded with 16,5000 Ugandan shillings per family member — about $4.50 each— enabling them to buy meat, fruits, and vegetables from designated vendors. An essential component of the program is nutrition education, which supports families in making informed food choices that prevent malnutrition. Action Against Hunger also introduced Roger to the Optimized Land Utilization Model (OLUM). This approach encourages efficient land use on small plots. It was new territory for Roger. Back in Congo, he was a commercial farmer with traditional farming methods that he used to cultivate maize and beans on a large scale. The idea of nourishing a family of six using a small plot of land and Action Against Hunger's cutting-edge technical advice was foreign to him, but he was willing to try. The OLUM approach transformed Roger's life. He received seedlings of tomatoes, eggplant, and onions and learned how to maximize his small piece of land to grow nutritious vegetables year-round. He and his family now not only have enough to eat, but they also have surplus produce to sell, earning extra income for other necessities. Over time, Roger built up enough income to participate in a Village Savings and Loans Association. Roger's transformation extended beyond farming - he also learned about nutrition and gender equity in Action Against Hunger's care group. He speaks openly about how his understanding of family and fatherhood has evolved. 'I have learned to treat my wife better,' he explains. 'I was not a bad man, but I was just ignorant about certain things, especially about pregnant women and caring for children.' He understands the importance of relieving his wife of hard labor during pregnancy. 'Before I depended on my wife for labor' Roger confirms. 'But now I know that she shouldn't do certain forms of work while pregnant.' He admits that, culturally, he once believed nurturing children was solely his wife's role. Now, he understands his integral part in the family and embraces any knowledge that makes him a better father and husband. Roger is now a more intentional parent. 'I can now prepare meals for my lastborn, and I see myself as a better-educated father,' he says. Roger took a series of Action Against Hunger courses on breastfeeding, hygiene and sanitation, and proper nutrition. The more he learned, the more he felt drawn to share information with his community. He signed up to become a care group volunteer and eventually became a 'lead father' for other men in his community. Roger found great joy in educating the men and women of his community, witnessing firsthand the positive changes his efforts brought. Roger is unfazed by the ridicule of other men and the community he sometimes receives. 'As long as I am empowered,' he asserts, 'I don't care if people laugh or call me less of a man. As long as I see my family thriving, I keep fighting to provide and be present.' His commitment has won over many members of the community. Thanks to his tireless effort, every household in his neighborhood now has a pit latrine and a handwashing station, remarkable improvements that have reduced open defecation. His neighbors have also embraced simple yet crucial practices like handwashing, recognizing their importance in preventing illness. Small backyard vegetable gardens in every neighborhood homestead further illustrate Roger's influence. Around the community, these positive impacts have been nicknamed 'the Roger effect.' Neighbors regularly gather at Roger's homestead, eager to learn more. He welcomes them, enthusiastically sharing his expertise on nutrition, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene practices), and the crucial role men play in family health. He has become a beacon of change, transforming his community through one conversation, one demonstration, and one household at a time. He is even building a temporary church on a piece of land near his home, and is an ordained clergyman passionate about changing lives, both physically and spiritually. Once a hungry refugee living in fear of what each morning would bring, Roger Okuna has become a provider, a leader, and an example of resilience and hope. *** Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Action Against Hunger
Associated Press
12-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
A Widow's Journey to Self-Sufficiency
Published by Action Against Hunger. Contact [email protected] for inquiries. Aling's Story Aling and her husband lived in Mayom, Warap State in South Sudan, and they had five beautiful children —two boys and three girls. Tragically, one day, her husband was killed in a communal conflict. At the age of 32, Aling found herself alone, shouldering the responsibility of raising her children without any support. Life was increasingly hard for Aling and her family following her husband's passing. Money was tight, and Aling struggled to keep enough food on the table for her family. The hardships multiplied when her youngest daughter fell gravely ill and became acutely malnourished. Desperate to save her daughter, Aling went to Action Against Hunger's nutrition site for assistance. A New Beginning Action Against Hunger enrolled Aling's daughter in a comprehensive nutrition program. In a matter of weeks, she was back to full nutritional health. To Aling's immense relief, her daughter's lively spirit had returned. While her daughter was undergoing treatment, Aling was introduced to vegetable gardening as a means to diversify her family's diet and enhance their overall well-being. Action Against Hunger supported her with training and tools to start gardening. Over time, Aling saw a revolutionary change in her children's quality of life with the increased nutrition in their diet. Amazed by the impact on her family, she became passionate about sharing her newfound nutritional knowledge and gardening skills with others. It became her mission to educate fellow mothers in Mayom. Now, several other women have thriving gardens and are able to improve their families' diet as well. They have been able to grow enough to sell surplus vegetables for profit. With the support of Action Against Hunger, the women were able to establish a Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA). A VSLA is a powerful way for community members to extrapolate the financial benefits they gain from gardens by offering a safe place for them to manage their money. CARE describes a VSLA as a group of members who meet regularly and create a group fund, so they can take small loans as needed and build insurance against emergencies. For example, if a drought wipes out their crops — which would typically devastate the families' nutritional and financial wellbeing — the VSLA savings fund can be used to buy new seeds or other materials to restart the garden. They are also able to use the funds to invest in scaling-up farms with better equipment or other tools. This resource is a sustainable way for members to manage their finances and safeguard the wellbeing of their income and diet. Aling's VSLA has become so successful it can also make loans to the surrounding community and local NGOs, supporting the development of the growth of the local economy. The VSLA is a self-sustaining funding mechanism that reduces the need for additional external aid. It safeguards the women against unexpected challenges, and they obtained greater agency for financial decision-making than ever before. Through hard work and dedication, Aling was able to move from kitchen gardening to large-scale farming, now supplying local markets with her produce. She is able to maintain her family's nutritional wellbeing and rest in the knowledge that she has a steady income with the financial safety net of VSLA membership. Wanting to lift up the women around her, Aling has been an enthusiastic advocate for nutrition and gardening. Against Hunger's program with funding from the German Federal Foreign Office gave her initial support, and Aling has amplified that support into an incredible ripple effect that is still shaping the community around her. 'I no longer feel like a widow struggling to provide for my family,' Aling said, her confidence radiating. Aling's evolution into a self-sufficient woman is a testament to her resilience in face of tragedy and hardship. To her community, she has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for others facing similar challenges. Her story serves as a testament to the boundless possibilities that arise when individuals and organizations come together to create positive change. Hunger in South Sudan Unfortunately, Aling is one of many people in South Sudan who have suffered from hunger due to conflict. The United Nations reports that nearly 7.7 million people in the country are facing severe food insecurity. This is largely driven by the escalating conflict in Sudan, which has sent 1.1 million people flooding over the border into South Sudan, which was already grappling with strained resources. Now, resources fall significantly short of meeting the needs of the population. To make matters worse, displaced people who are dealing with insecurity and poverty have also been impacted by disease outbreaks. Cholera, a deadly disease that is closely linked to dehydration and malnutrition, has been rampant since October 2024 and is only worsening. At the end of April 2025, UNICEF recorded over 54,600 cases, including 1,059 deaths, across 47 counties. Action Against Hunger is actively working to improve nutrition, health, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in South Sudan to stop the rise of disease and hunger. For long-term impact, we are boosting food security and livelihoods (FSL) with long term solutions like the VSLA group in Mayom. Aling's journey exemplifies the kinds of transformations that can happen when people impacted by conflict, disease, and hunger have access to resources; she now has the agency to uplift her family's health, manage her finances, and act as a catalyst for change in her community. *** Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Action Against Hunger
Associated Press
30-05-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Action Against Hunger Statement on Gaza Humanitarian Aid Distribution
Published by Action Against Hunger. Contact [email protected] for inquiries. May 30, 2025 /3BL/ - Action Against Hunger remains deeply committed to addressing the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the entire population faces severe hunger, displacement, and grave suffering. Our priority is the swift, safe, and impartial delivery of lifesaving assistance to civilians in need, in accordance with humanitarian principles. Action Against Hunger has not endorsed (and will not endorse), nor agreed to collaborate with any mechanism that does not comply with fundamental humanitarian principles. Action Against Hunger firmly supports the UN-coordinated response as the most viable, principled, and immediately actionable framework for large-scale aid delivery. This system has been tested, is already operational, and remains the best pathway to reach those most in need without delay. We cannot afford to divert attention or resources from proven mechanisms when lives hang in the balance. We urgently call for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and full, unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza. Action Against Hunger continues to advocate for all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians. *** Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good. Action Against Hunger has been assisting the population in Gaza for more than 20 years. Responding to the escalating crisis, our teams have mobilized to provide hot meals and fresh and dry food, distribute hygiene kits, connect people with shelters, and truck clean water into communities. Since the start of the conflict, under restricted access and frequent blackouts, Action Against Hunger has assisted more than one million people in Gaza and the West Bank.
