Malnutrition is entirely preventable through access to a healthy and balanced diet. Yet, approximately 45% of deaths among children under five are linked to undernutrition, a tragedy that persists in many low- and middle-income countries.
In 2019, MOAS launched the first Mission of Hope in Yemen to combat malnutrition. The mission supplied life-saving therapeutic food and vital medical supplies to children most at risk of malnutrition.
Building on the success of this initial effort, MOAS expanded its Mission of Hope programme to Somalia in 2020 and Sudan in 2023, shipping critical nutrition support to more vulnerable communities across the region.
These missions are made possible through MOAS’ partnership with the US ready-to-use foods producer Edesia and Medeor, local collaborators such as Adra, UNHCR and International Medical Corps Somalia.
Together, they deliver nutrient-rich foods such as:
- Plumpy’Sup™, a therapeutic food for treating moderate acute malnutrition in children over six months.
- Plumpy’Doz®, a ready-to-use paste for children aged six months and older at risk of acute malnutrition.
- Enov’Nutributter®, a lipid-based nutrient supplement for children aged six to twenty-four months.
Each Mission of Hope embodies a collective pledge to guarantee that no child’s future is shaped by hunger, but rather by the promise of health and hope.
Sudan: Continuing Hope Amid Crisis
Even before the recent conflict, Sudan was already home to 3.7 million internally displaced people and 1.1 million refugees and asylum seekers, making it one of Africa’s largest refugee-hosting nations. The escalation of violence has intensified displacement, destroyed infrastructure, and crippled healthcare services.
Power shortages, limited medical supplies, and damaged infrastructure, particularly in and around the capital Khartoum, have left tens of millions without access to clean water and proper medical care.
More than 20 months of conflict have dramatically increased malnutrition rates, leaving Sudan facing an unprecedented hunger crisis. At the beginning of 2025, around 3.2 million children under the age of five were likely to experience acute malnutrition. Amongst them, more than 770,000 were expected to suffer severe acute malnutrition, which is the most immediate and life-threatening form of malnutrition since it weakens children’s immune systems, making them vulnerable to developmental delays, disease and death. Moreover, lack of water and sanitation is exposing the country to epidemics, with a particularly high risk of cholera.
According to the latest data, around 375,000 people are facing catastrophic levels of hunger in Sudan and are now on the brink of starvation.
Through partnerships with Edesia Nutrition and ADRA Sudan, we have delivered 52 tonnes of therapeutic food to Port Sudan, targeting acute malnutrition among children and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
Besides providing therapeutic food, MOAS has shipped lifesaving medical supplies in the form of IEHK 2017 emergency kits, designed to address the primary health needs of populations affected by crises like those in Sudan. The IEHK kits promptly fill urgent medical gaps and are vital for saving lives.
MOAS’ latest shipment of therapeutic food is currently on its way to Khartoum and the Blue Nile region for distribution, where it will help combat acute malnutrition among children and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
Somalia: Stories of Strength and Survival
In 2020, approximately 5.9 million people in Somalia required humanitarian aid due to decades of drought, flooding, displacement, poverty, and ongoing conflicts, which have left millions of Somalis reliant on external support for their survival and livelihood.
In response, MOAS launched its Mission of Hope in Somalia to tackle severe acute malnutrition in children. Between 2020 and 2024, 130 tonnes of Plumpy SupTM have been shipped to the country.
Mohamed, a nine-month-old boy living in the Midnimo IDP camp, was diagnosed with moderate acute malnutrition at an IMC-supported clinic. After 75 days of treatment with Plumpy’Sup, he made a full recovery. His mother said:
“It’s wonderful how the staff treat us with dignity and friendliness. I was once treated here for malnutrition myself, and now my son is healthy again”.
Najmo, a 12-month-old girl from Makudo IDP camp, was found suffering from severe acute malnutrition during a routine community health visit. Over eight weeks, she received therapeutic food and close monitoring until her full recovery. Her mother shared:
“When my daughter suffered from severe wasting, I was worried for her, but now she is much better. I feel happy, especially when I see her playing with other children. I am grateful for the support provided to my daughter during her recovery. Now she has regained her strength, and I pray that she continues to grow healthy each day.”
Yemen: Restoring Hope in the World’s Worst Humanitarian Crisis
Even before 2015, Yemen was already the poorest Arab nation. Years of civil war have since left the country shattered, with over 20 million people facing food insecurity in what the United Nations describes as the world’s worst man-made humanitarian disaster. Since 2019, MOAS has shipped and distributed hundreds of tonnes of therapeutic food and medical supplies to those in need.
In 2019, over 50 tonnes of therapeutic food and €120,000 worth of medical supplies reached the port of Aden, while 26 tonnes of preventive nutrient supplements were delivered to areas such as Al Jawf.
In 2020, despite renewed conflict and a global pandemic, MOAS continued operations, delivering another 50 tonnes of nutritional aid and €70,000 in medical supplies to Aden. In 2021, a further 75 tonnes of nutritional aid and a container of pharmaceuticals arrived in Aden to sustain treatment for malnourished children. The human impact of these missions is evident in the faces of those who have recovered.
Aisha and Akila, 20-month-old twins from Al Jawf, were diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition at ADRA’s Al Hazm health centre. After a month of treatment with Plumpy’Nut and medication, they regained their strength and their laughter. Their father Ahmad shared: “I thank all the doctors and nutritionists of ADRA. This aid has restored hope to many people.”
Farida, only six months old, was treated for malnutrition after her parents, unaware of the signs, resorted to harmful traditional remedies, believing her illness was caused by evil spirits. When ADRA’s medical team first met Farida, they found she had been stamped with a heated iron stalk on her stomach.
Thanks to ADRA’s medical team and MOAS-supplied therapeutic food, she survived and her case inspired new efforts to combat misinformation in the region. Many parents now share similar testimonies of gratitude and relief.
One father told MOAS about his young daughter, who had been diagnosed with moderate acute malnutrition: “When the mobile clinic team arrived, they weighed my little girl and discovered that she was suffering from moderate acute malnutrition. She was given some of the PLUMPY food and her health is now improving significantly. We thank the team that worked hard to follow up on the case. Honestly, they did not hold back, even though we are in a rugged rural area.”
Final Thoughts: Humanity at the Heart of Action
MOAS’ Missions of Hope demonstrate a lasting dedication to combating malnutrition and safeguarding the world’s most vulnerable communities. Every act of generosity from MOAS supporters enables these missions: each donation directly funds the dispatch of life-saving food and medical supplies to children and families in crisis.
Working closely with partners, MOAS guarantees that aid reaches even the most inaccessible areas, where hope is desperately needed.
Each shipment to Yemen, Somalia, or Sudan is more than a logistical achievement; it is a testament to the power of compassion in action.
In every carton of Plumpy’Nut®, every treated child, and every family restored to health lies a single truth: humanity prevails through generosity, partnership, and hope.
Your support can make a difference. Please consider donating to help us continue our missions and save lives. Visit www.moas.eu/donate to contribute. For more updates on our work, follow us on social media, sign up for our newsletter, or contact us at [email protected].
Disclaimer: “Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”