Concern Worldwide’s enduring fight against hunger and poverty
- Editorial Team SDG2
- Oct 1, 2025
- 3 min read
In an age marked by increasing humanitarian crises, Concern Worldwide stands as one of the longest-serving organisations dedicated to alleviating extreme poverty and hunger.
Founded in Ireland in 1968 in response to the famine in Nigeria’s war-torn Biafra province, the organisation has since expanded its presence to more than 20 of the world’s poorest countries. Its vision is ambitious yet vital: a world free from poverty, fear and oppression, where dignity and respect are not privileges but rights.
What distinguishes Concern from many other humanitarian actors is its dual focus. Alongside rapid emergency relief, the organisation has placed equal weight on long-term, sustainable development. With more than 90 per cent of its staff working in their countries of origin, its approach is rooted in local partnerships, cultural understanding and community-led solutions.
Innovation in tackling malnutrition
Perhaps one of the organisation’s most transformative contributions is the Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) model, developed during the 1990s. Instead of relying on centralised treatment centres, CMAM trained local health workers to diagnose malnutrition and administer ready-to-use therapeutic foods directly within communities. This decentralised approach not only saved countless lives but also reshaped how the humanitarian sector treats childhood hunger.
The model is now recognised globally by institutions such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization as the standard for community-based malnutrition treatment. Concern later built upon this work with the CMAM Surge approach, enabling local health systems to anticipate and cope with predictable spikes in malnutrition cases.
Building resilience to climate shocks
Beyond hunger, Concern has placed increasing emphasis on the effects of climate change, which disproportionately affect the world’s poorest communities. Its Climate-Smart Agriculture programmes provide farmers with techniques such as drought-resistant crops, low-water gardening and soil conservation. Meanwhile, its Green Graduation Programme combines savings schemes, vocational training and agricultural support to foster sustainable livelihoods that reduce both poverty and environmental stress.
These initiatives align closely with global efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the goal of zero hunger. According to the organisation, climate-related disasters have already displaced an average of 21.5 million people annually over the past decade, a figure projected to rise sharply without urgent adaptation measures.
Emergency relief with long-term commitment
Disasters, whether natural or man-made, remain central to Concern’s mission. The organisation is recognised for deploying expert teams within 24 hours of an emergency, providing essential food, shelter and medical care. Yet unlike many short-term relief operations, Concern often stays long after headlines fade, helping communities rebuild with safer infrastructure and stronger social systems. Roughly half of its resources are consistently dedicated to emergency interventions, underscoring the scale of global need.
A holistic view of human development
Concern’s approach extends beyond food security. Its programmes integrate health, nutrition, education, and water and sanitation services, recognising the interconnected drivers of poverty. A particular emphasis is placed on maternal and child health, especially during the critical first 1,000 days of life. The organisation also co-publishes the Global Hunger Index, an annual benchmark that guides policymakers and shines a light on regions most at risk of famine.
An evolving humanitarian role
In a world where extreme poverty and hunger remain entrenched, Concern Worldwide exemplifies how humanitarian organisations must evolve. From pioneering community-based health solutions to advancing climate resilience, its legacy lies not simply in emergency aid but in shifting paradigms towards sustainable, locally driven change.
As global crises intensify, so too does the relevance of Concern’s work. For readers wishing to explore further, the organisation’s annual reports and the Global Hunger Index offer a detailed look at both the challenges and the innovations shaping the fight against poverty.
