Food and Nutrition Programming

Of the world's 6 billion people, more than 800 million are unable to obtain the adequate, nutritious food needed for sound health and growth. Such undernourishment negatively affects people’s health and productivity. According to the World Health Organization, poor nutrition cause nearly one in three people to die prematurely or have disabilities. Among young children the impact is even greater—malnutrition is a contributing factor in more than 50 percent of deaths among children under the age of five worldwide.

The American Red Cross has been providing food and nutrition support to those in need at home and overseas for more than 110 years. As far back as the 1890s, Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, sent relief workers overseas to administer large-scale feeding and medical operations to assist famine-stricken Russians and Armenians. Today, the American Red Cross continues to support food and nutrition activities as part of its community-based health initiatives.

Examples of American Red Cross food and nutrition programs around the world:

World Food Program Partnership in Tsunami-affected Countries The American Red Cross is partnering with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) to feed up to 2 million people over six months meeting the immediate needs of tsunami survivors in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Maldives through the provision and distribution of emergency food aid. more...

Vietnam Nutrition and Education Initiative About half of elementary school children in Vietnam are malnourished. Providing food in school to students every day as well as take-tome food rations to families of students act as incentives for children to attend school. The take-home ration, while also nutritious, helps offset families’ financial expenditures on food. more...

Food Assistance Timeline Highlighted food and nutrition assistance provided by the American Red Cross to countries around the world for more 100 years. more...