When does hunger become a global catastrophe?
From Gaza to Sudan and South Sudan, the word 'famine' has dominated global headlines recently. However, famine is not simply another term for hunger. It's a scientific classification, defined by strict evidence-based criteria, and yet once declared, it can still be disputed.
In our latest edition of What's The Story?, we take a look at what famine really means, when it can be officially declared, who confirms it, and why recognition is a vital step in unlocking humanitarian aid during extreme hunger crises.
Watch the full explainer on Concern's YouTube channel. #famine #explainer #ItsOurConcern
180 years ago, the Great Hunger ravaged Ireland. One million people died from starvation and related diseases, while another two million people emigrated to escape the famine, in search of a better future.
This is the history that has shaped Ireland. But in 2026, our past of hunger and displacement is the present for some of the world’s most vulnerable countries - from millions being forced from their homes by conflict in Sudan, to crisis levels of hunger devastating Somalia. The stories of millions of people across the globe hark back to journeys on coffin ships, letters to America, and newspapers describing the horrors severe hunger can wreak on a population.
The Irish people have long memories. When we see others suffering, we take action. Our scars, our history, and our sense of justice remind us that extreme poverty, wherever it is happening in the world, is our Concern.
A special thank you to the EPIC Museum and “The Truth Behind The Irish Famine” by Jerry Mulvihill for aiding our research.
#famine #Ireland #IrishHistory #GreatHunger #ItsOurConcern
In 1968, a small group of Irish people saw suffering and famine in Biafra, and they didn’t wait for the world to act.
Because the people of Ireland have long memories of hardship, famine, suffering. In every crisis, we see echoes of our past. Our history, our scars, our sense of justice, mean that when we see poverty, we make it our concern.
That small group of people in 1968 saw hunger and acted - and Concern Worldwide was born. Nearly 60 years later, our community has grown, but our mission remains the same - ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes.
Now, we work in 26 countries, tackling hunger and hardship in the world’s most vulnerable communities. And it’s the continued support of the people of Ireland that allows us to keep striving towards our goal. Because extreme poverty, wherever it’s happening, is all of our Concern.
Find out more via the link in bio, or visit Concern.net.
#ItsOurConcern #Concern #ConcernWorldwide #aid #humanitarian #ireland #irish
The world has been declared bankrupt - not financially, but in it's greatest resource, water.
A new UN report warns humanity has entered an era of “global water bankruptcy”. We are using far more water than the planet can naturally replenish.
Explore the hidden global water crisis unfolding right now. From collapsing aquifers and shrinking rivers to food insecurity, climate change and the growing strain on modern civilisation, this is the story of how water is becoming the defining issue of our time.
#watercrises #waterbankruptcy #UN #environment #greenenergy
Malawi is called the “Warm Heart of Africa” ❤️🇲🇼 But there’s much more you probably didn’t know.
While Malawi is often associated with poverty and climate challenges, there is so much more to this remarkable country.
From the breathtaking beauty of Lake Malawi to rich cultural traditions, incredible wildlife, and powerful community spirit, Malawi’s story is one of resilience, kindness, and hope.
Despite challenges including food insecurity, poverty, and climate change, communities across Malawi continue to adapt, support one another, and build a better future.
#Malawi #Africa #LakeMalawi #AfricanCulture #TravelAfrica #ClimateChange
Massive congratulations to Ursuline Secondary School from Tipperary, this year’s Concern all-island debate champions!
Lily Marchand, Éabha Cahill, Lily Murphy and Trudy Wilson from Ursuline faced Cross and Passion College from Antrim and successfully proposed the motion, ‘It’s time to increase international aid, not walk away from it’ at the Helix in Dublin on Thursday evening.
Lily Murphy, captain of the Ursuline debate team, said afterwards: “We are on cloud 9. We reached the semi-finals last year so we’d no idea we’d get this far again.
“You can tell that everyone has put in so much work and so much effort, Cross and Passion in the final, Largy College who we debated in the semi-final, and Rosscarbery in the quarter finals. You can tell that everyone is so passionate about what we’re doing and it’s just a beautiful atmosphere.”
As the winning team, the Ursuline students will receive an educational trip to Brussels and the Hague, while Eimear McAuley, Tiernan McAuley, Lydia Doherty, and Katie Ann McGinty from Cross and Passion are heading to London.
With the debates reaching their 41st year, Ursuline were crowned champions for the second time, having previously won in 1995.
The debates were started in 1984 to promote positive dialogue and shared learning and are open to schools from all 32 counties.
Our thanks go out to the more than 170 schools who took part this year, our volunteer adjudicators and our supporters in Irish Aid.
#ConcernDebates #Ursuline
A Community Resource Person in Kenya’s Tana River County, Fatima focuses on mango farming and raising awareness of the nutritional benefits of mangoes - an important but often undervalued source of nourishment for families in her region.
Through the Kerry-Concern ALIVE* programme, Fatima has received training and support to strengthen her work, including climate smart farming solutions to health and nutrition education, which helps create long term value for those in her community most affected by hunger and malnutrition.
Stories like Fatima’s remind us of our responsibility to deliver sustainable nutrition across the globe.
We’re extremely proud to partner with @ConcernWorldwide to develop innovative, community led solutions that help bring zero hunger closer to reality.
*Agricultural Livelihoods Improving Value Chains and the Environment
#ZeroHunger #HealthAndNutrition #Farming
💡In the 40th edition of VOICE Out Loud, @concernworldwide shares lessons from Niger and Afghanistan. From education in conflict zones to women-led businesses, their work shows how long-term, flexible support helps communities regain self-reliance.
🔗 Read the article through the link in our bio
Meet Concern Worldwide’s Youth Climate Ambassador for 2026 - Sarah Gavin!
Sarah, from Drogheda, Co Louth, is a first year Economics, Politics and Law student at Dublin City University, and is passionate about climate action, biodiversity and youth activism.
“I support young people to advocate for issues they feel strongly about,” Sarah said. “Most young people aren’t represented, it’s not a secret! It’s important they find a voice for themselves and hold political actors to account, so that when they do become an adult, they already know how to fight for themselves and what they believe in.”
As part of her time as Youth Climate Ambassador, Sarah will be facilitating workshops, exploring global issues with Concern staff, and meeting other young people in the countries most impacted by climate change to discuss how best to advocate for climate justice.
Keep an eye on @concernactive to follow Sarah’s journey as Youth Climate Ambassador!
#1planet4all #climate #youthactivism #youthclimateambassador
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthening safe blood services in Sierra Leone, the British High Commission, through its Saving Lives Programme is supporting safer transfusions by improving access to essential blood screening commodities.
Working in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA) and
@Concern , the supplies have been officially handed over and delivered to NMSA, helping to protect patients and save lives nationwide.
#ukinsierraleone #savinglives
Climb for Concern, and make a change with every step!
Join us on Saturday 11th July as we take on Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain, to raise funds for Concern's vital work across 24 countries.
The money you raise could provide emergency therapeutic food to malnourished children, provide a family fleeing conflict with cash transfers to buy food and medicine, or provide a farmer with equipment to rebuild their livelihood and tackle the impacts of climate change.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a first-time adventurer, this is your chance to challenge yourself while being part of something truly special.
Together, we can create lasting change - one step at a time.
Sign up to Climb for Concern via the link in our bio.
#ClimbForConcern #climbing #ireland #Carrauntoohil #itsourconcern
Chad is one of the world’s poorest countries.
Through June and August 2025, the ‘lean season’ between harvests, approximately 3.36 million people in Chad experienced severe food insecurity.
What does this mean?
Families started missing meals, leading to more cases of acute malnutrition. Young children suffer the most.
A lack of clean water makes a bad situation worse. Without clean water, for both drinking and washing, children fall ill. Suffering fever, diarrhoea and vomiting, they rapidly lose weight. Their lives hang in the balance.
Concern, in partnership with the European Union, is improving access to clean water in Sila Province, Eastern Chad.
Concern has constructed twenty-one new water points, and rehabilitated fifteen more, benefitting just over 60,000 people, including Hilwa. Concern also distributed 1,200 clean water and hygiene kits. These kits contain soap, chlorine tablets (for water treatment), jerrycans, menstrual products, and other items.
Hissene Hassane Abdoulaye, Community Facilitator with Concern, says; "before the intervention of Concern, there were a lot of water diseases, such as malaria, diarrhoea, typhoid, and so on. Now, all these kinds of diseases have already disappeared."
@eu_echo
