Action Against Hunger Launches New Partnership With IHG Hotels & Resorts to Tackle Food Insecurity and Malnutrition
August 1, 2024 /3BL/ - Action Against Hunger, a global leader in promoting food security, today announced a new multi-year partnership to combat hunger for millions of people around the world with IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies.
With one in three people globally facing moderate to severe food insecurity, IHG will help support and fund Action Against Hunger’s nutrition programs, with a specific focus on screening initiatives designed to spot early signs of malnutrition in children and provide potentially lifesaving treatment through local community outreach program. IHG also will seek to engage millions of guests around the world, growing awareness of global hunger and giving them the opportunity to donate IHG One Rewards points to the cause, starting today, here.* For example, every 10,000 points donated is enough to screen approximately 124 children for malnutrition, an essential first step toward the care they need, and on average, 7,500 points can support a malnourished child with therapeutic food for six weeks and help bring them back to health.
The new partnership comes at a pivotal time, as conflict, climate change and poverty mean the world is not on track to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of zero hunger by 2030. Action Against Hunger’s 2024 Hunger Funding Gap Report found that even after countries slipped into a hunger crisis, only 35% of their hunger-related funding needs were met. Corporate involvement is essential to help spotlight hunger as a global priority and provide urgently needed resources to end malnutrition and food insecurity.
“While hunger is a widespread challenge, for the first time in human history, we have the ability to end chronic hunger for everyone, for good. Realizing that vision will take bold action and we are grateful for IHG’s leadership and commitment to advancing this vital cause,” said Ashwini Kakkar, Chair, Action Against Hunger International Network. “Hunger makes it harder for hundreds of millions of people around the world to learn, work, dream and realize their full potential. IHG’s generous support will help advance our work to create a world where every life is well nourished.”
For 45 years, Action Against Hunger has delivered innovations that save lives and shape how the world addresses malnutrition. Its world-renowned programs engage parents, health workers, governments, and other stakeholders to stop hunger in its tracks across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Middle East and Europe. Through thousands of hotels in communities across more than 100 countries, IHG has long supported efforts to improve food security, alongside supporting disaster relief efforts and providing skills training, as part of a pledge to improve the lives of 30 million people in its Journey to Tomorrow responsible business plan.
“Food sits at the heart of our hotels and hospitality, nourishing people and communities, and yet sadly we know it remains in desperately short supply for millions of people, despite enough being produced to feed everyone on the planet,” said Elie Maalouf, CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts. “This is a problem the world can solve if societies, organizations and businesses work together. IHG Hotels & Resorts is proud to partner with Action Against Hunger on their life saving work, in addition to the many other long-standing partnerships we have with incredible charities in local markets. Collectively we want to help create lasting change in a world where people are nourished, always welcome, and always respected.”
*Donations of IHG One Rewards points will go to Action Against Hunger England and Wales, charity number 1047501.
About Action Against Hunger
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 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.
