Focus Areas

Around the world, children are facing great threats to their survival each day. Conflicts and natural disasters have led to countless deaths and the displacement of tens of millions of people. Meanwhile, poverty has deprived entire communities of nutritious food, clean water and basic sanitation, as well as sustainable livelihoods.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting national lockdowns have only worsened the situation for children and families in dire need. Already deprived of many basic resources, the primary and secondary impacts of COVID-19 have left vulnerable families and communities reeling. Many families sustaining themselves on daily wages and informal labour have found themselves without livelihoods, meaning that they can’t provide for the needs of their children. Because of this, their survival is at stake.

In light of this situation, the 30-Hour Famine 2021 will focus on the following areas which are vital to the survival of children in need.

Health & Nutrition

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)

Livelihood

Focus Area 1: Health & Nutrition

The primary health effects of COVID-19 are well-known. What may be less obvious are its secondary impacts on the health and nutrition of children. As health systems have struggled and economies have faced disruption due to the pandemic, it has become more difficult for children to access proper healthcare and get the nutrition they need to survive and grow.

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Almost 690 million people around the world went hungry in 2019.
(UNICEF)

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Estimates suggest that an additional 83 million to 132 million more people will be chronically hungry due to the pandemic.
(UNICEF)

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World Vision estimates that as many as
30 million children’s lives are in danger.

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Almost 690 million people around the world went hungry in 2019.
(UNICEF)

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Estimates suggest that an additional 83 million to 132 million more people will be chronically hungry due to the pandemic.
(UNICEF)

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World Vision estimates that as many as 30 million children’s lives are in danger.

Focus Area 2:
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)

Clean water and proper sanitation have always been important, but even more so when a potentially deadly virus is spreading. While we may enjoy easy access to clean water and sanitation facilities in our homes and public spaces, vulnerable children and families who already lack these basic necessities face a greater risk of disease and death.

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785 million people lack basic drinking water services, including 144 million people who are dependent on surface water.
(World Health Organization)

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2 billion people still lack basic sanitation.
(World Health Organization)

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785 million people lack basic drinking water services, including 144 million people who are dependent on surface water.
(World Health Organization)

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2 billion people still lack basic sanitation.
(World Health Organization)

Nearly half of the world’s 3.3 billion global workforce are at risk of losing their livelihoods.
(International Labour Organization)

The pandemic has affected the entire food system and has laid bare its fragility.
(World Health Organization)

Focus Area 3: Livelihood

Many vulnerable families worldwide subsist on daily wage labour or agriculture. But what happens when they are denied the ability to go out and earn a living? Due to the recent lockdowns, many parents are finding it increasingly difficult to provide their children with healthy nutritious food, or to buy necessities such as medicine and hygiene products. In extreme cases, children are being put in harm’s way – sent to work, to beg or even married off early – just so they and their families can eat.