Commemorating World Food Day

Every year on October 16, we have the opportunity to reflect on the devastating and persisting realities of hunger and undernutrition in our global community. Although it is a single day, World Food Day represents our year-round efforts to end hunger, alleviate suffering and expand opportunity across the world.

But this year’s World Food Day is especially important. Today, the Horn of Africa is experiencing the worst drought in 60 years, placing 13.3 million people—predominately women and children—in need of assistance. As the single largest humanitarian and development partner in the region, the U.S. is supporting life-saving aid for millions of people, including food, water and sanitation, and medical services. We are also aggressively pursuing public health interventions, including highly nutritious, ready-to-use therapeutic food and immunizations.