Global Communities

Famine has now been officially declared in Gaza. According to the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), more than 500,000 people are already enduring catastrophic hunger and projections show that number could rise to 641,000 by September if urgent humanitarian access is not granted. This is not a natural disaster. Nearly two years of war, widespread destruction of food infrastructure, and severe restrictions on aid have pushed families past the breaking point. Children are suffering the most, with rising rates of acute malnutrition and preventable deaths. At Global Communities, we stand with our colleagues and partners across the humanitarian sector in calling for immediate access and scaled-up response to prevent further loss of life. 📌 Famine is preventable. Delays cost lives.

The way food is grown, shared and accessed determines far more than what’s on someone’s plate; it defines livelihoods, health, opportunity, and resilience. Conflict, climate change, economic instability and structural inequities put pressure on food systems, disrupting how people produce and access food. The result is rising hunger, malnutrition and lost income for families already pushed to the margins. At Global Communities, we’re working from the ground up to build stronger food systems — helping farmers grow more, earn more and nourish their communities. Because when local food systems thrive, everyone benefits.

This World Humanitarian Day, we honor the extraordinary courage of our colleagues in Gaza. Nearly two years into the war, the situation is catastrophic: relentless bombardment, mass displacement, and extreme shortages of food, water, electricity, and health care have made daily survival nearly impossible. Yet even under these incredibly bleak conditions, our colleagues continue to serve their communities. Every day, they risk their lives to deliver food and support to families who have lost everything. Their resilience and devotion to humanity, in the face of constant peril, inspire us all. Today, and every day, we stand with them.

When people are left out of financial systems, barriers multiply: entrepreneurs can’t grow their businesses, families struggle to recover after crises, and young people lose chances to invest in their futures. We partner with local organizations, banks, and governments to co-create solutions—from cash transfers and vouchers in fragile settings to microloans and business grants in growing economies. By strengthening value chains and connecting businesses to financial institutions, we ensure inclusion translates into sustainable economic mobility.

A meal at school is more than food, it's a foundation for the future. 🍽️📚 For millions of children around the world, school meals are the most reliable source of nutrition they receive all day. These meals fuel minds, improve attendance, and open doors to learning. We partner with governments and communities to deliver daily nutritious meals that help children thrive while sourcing locally and supporting farmers to help build lives that are well-fed and full of promise. Photo: Michel Strogoff, Madagascar

What does it mean to “let communities lead”? 🌀 It means shifting power. 🌀 It means listening before acting. 🌀 It means local people — not outsiders — define the challenges and drive the solutions. Community-led development isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s the most effective way to create lasting change. #LetCommunitiesLead #LocallyLed

Breastfeeding is one of the most powerful ways to protect infant health, yet fewer than half of babies under 6 months are exclusively breastfed. The reasons vary — from cultural norms and lack of information to work demands and limited support — but the impact is universal. For more than 60 years, we’ve been working to break down these barriers. In partnership with governments, civil society and frontline health workers, we’re strengthening health systems and expanding access to quality, equitable care. We promote simple, lifesaving practices like kangaroo mother care and support community health workers with training to guide families on breastfeeding and newborn care. Together, we’re creating a world where every mother has the knowledge and support she needs to give her baby the healthiest start.

When wildfires rage, power grids fail or heat waves strike, most families worry about staying safe, but for pregnant individuals and new parents, the stakes are even higher. Perinatal health is rarely integrated into emergency planning frameworks, which can leave families without the resources or support they need to stay safe and healthy during crises. Healthy Start's Project 360 was created with this in mind. Learn how Project 360 brings together emergency responders, perinatal health experts and community members to ensure pregnant and postpartum families aren’t just included in disaster preparedness — they’re prioritized. https://lnkd.in/g48Myr5C

🚨 Human trafficking is happening closer than we think. Each year in the U.S., an estimated 14,500–17,500 people are trafficked, according to the U.S. State Department. In San Diego County alone, there are approximately 3,400 to 8,100 trafficking survivors annually, with the average age of entry into commercial sexual exploitation being just 16 years old. On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we stand with survivors, work alongside youth, and fight for a future where every child is safe, seen and free.

Global Communities and Kirk Humanitarian are working together to advance maternal health through the distribution of essential micronutrient supplements. In Indonesia, over 3,400 pregnant women are receiving MMS through public health centers, improving birth outcomes and strengthening antenatal care. From Botswana to Guatemala to Haiti, this partnership has already delivered over 375,000 bottles of MMS, helping women and babies thrive in communities around the world. Read more about this partnership here: https://lnkd.in/e9EsF_Ne #PartnershipInAction #MaternalNutrition #GlobalHealth