Protecting Children from Malnutrition and Preventable Disease

Every 15 seconds, a child dies from acute malnutrition—and millions more are at risk from preventable diseases like measles, polio, and diphtheria. In fragile and conflict-affected regions, children often lack access to both basic nutrition and routine vaccinations, putting their lives in immediate danger.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is addressing this urgent need through an integrated, life-saving approach that combines malnutrition treatment with immunization services—reaching children and families in the world’s hardest-to-access communities.

Today:

Nearly 2 million children die each year from malnutrition, yet only 1 in 5 receive treatment

Over 14 million children have never received a single vaccine dose

Funding cuts threaten to leave millions more without access to essential care

The IRC delivers proven, high-impact solutions where they are needed most. Through mobile health teams, community-based care, and partnerships with local health systems, the IRC is able to reach families beyond the limits of traditional healthcare infrastructure.

With support from donors like you, the IRC can:

Provide life-saving treatment for children suffering from acute malnutrition

Deliver essential vaccines to protect against deadly but preventable diseases

Train and equip community health workers to identify and treat children early

Strengthen local health systems and supply chains to ensure long-term access to care

Expand integrated services that address both nutrition and disease prevention together

This integrated model is both effective and efficient—helping children recover faster, preventing relapse, and reducing the burden on families and health systems.

The IRC has already delivered malnutrition treatment to hundreds of thousands of children and supported the immunization of nearly 700,000 children in a single year. With continued support, the organization aims to scale these efforts to reach millions more children by 2028.

Your support helps ensure that children not only survive—but have the chance to grow, thrive, and build a healthier future.