NAZARENE CHILDREN

NUTRITION PROJECT

JOIN US IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE

About Us

The Nazarene Children Nutrition Project (NCNP), established on October 1, 2023, is a faith-based humanitarian pilot initiative operating under the Church of the Nazarene. NCNP was created in response to the urgent needs of vulnerable and displaced children affected by conflict, food insecurity, and public health crises in South Sudan and refugee communities in Gambella Region.

Our mission is to support orphaned and vulnerable children, particularly members of the Nazarene church community, by providing nutritional feeding, hygiene and sanitation support, access to medications, and faith-based education. We address both physical and spiritual needs, delivering life-saving assistance while strengthening hope and trust in God.

Through collaboration with local church leaders and trained field teams, NCNP conducts community-based assessments and implements rapid response interventions aimed at protecting children from malnutrition, preventable disease, and long-term harm. Guided by Christian compassion and responsible stewardship, we are committed to restoring dignity, health, and hope to children in crisis.

THE CRISIS & RESPONSE

Ongoing armed conflict in Upper Nile State, particularly in Nasir, Ulang, and Longechuke counties of South Sudan, has persisted for more than five months and displaced an estimated 80,000 civilians. Approximately 23,000 people have fled across the border to refugee camps in the Gambella Region, where living conditions remain extremely fragile and humanitarian resources are limited.

The violence has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis marked by escalating food insecurity, widespread malnutrition, inadequate shelter, poor sanitation, and limited access to essential medical services.

Children between the ages of 6 and 59 months are among the most vulnerable, as this critical stage of development requires consistent nutritional intake to prevent stunting, weakened immunity, and increased mortality risk.

During displacement, many families lost livestock, their primary source of food, income, and economic stability. The death and loss of animals have significantly reduced household resilience and recovery capacity, leaving families without sustainable means to secure food. As a result, numerous households in refugee camps face chronic food shortages and heightened exposure to preventable disease.

In response to this unfolding humanitarian emergency, NCNP conducted a rapid field-based needs assessment to document the severity of malnutrition and food insecurity among displaced Nazarene church members and surrounding communities. Guided by faith and informed by data, NCNP is mobilizing targeted nutritional feeding, hygiene and sanitation support, medical assistance, and non-food item distribution to protect vulnerable children and stabilize affected families.

Our goal is not only to prevent further deterioration but to intervene early, reducing the risk of severe acute malnutrition, preventable illness, and long-term developmental harm among displaced children.

2025 Nutrition and Needs Assessment

Assessment Overview

From August 4–6, 2025, NCNP conducted a field-based nutrition and food security assessment in refugee communities in Gambella, Ethiopia. The assessment was carried out by trained NCNP experts in collaboration with pastors from the Church of the Nazarene.

The objective was to evaluate the severity of food insecurity, malnutrition, hygiene conditions, and access to medical services among displaced South Sudanese children and Nazarene church members.

Methodology

The assessment utilized structured questionnaires administered to:

  • Children aged 6–59 months

  • Heads of households

  • Church leaders and pastors

Community-level interviews were conducted across selected locations, with groups of more than ten participants per session. The research focused on identifying key drivers of food insecurity and the nutritional status of affected children.

A total of:

  • 200 children aged 1–2 years

  • 100 children aged 3–5 years

were included in the nutritional data collection and analysis.

Key Findings

The assessment revealed:

  • A serious prevalence of malnutrition among children

  • Dramatic deterioration in food security

  • Households with no reliable access to food

  • Lack of shelter in refugee camps

  • Poor hygiene and sanitation conditions

  • Limited or no access to essential medications

The findings confirm that displacement and camp living conditions have significantly contributed to worsening health outcomes among vulnerable children.

NCNP maintains full responsibility for the integrity, accuracy, and reporting of this assessment. Local church leaders reviewed and validated the findings to ensure they accurately reflected community conditions.

OUR PROGRAMS

Nutrition Support Program

NCNP provides emergency and supplementary nutritional feeding to malnourished and at-risk children. This includes food distribution, targeted feeding initiatives for children under five, and community-based nutritional support to prevent severe acute malnutrition.

Medical Assistance Program

NCNP works to ensure children have access to essential medications and basic healthcare support. The program focuses on preventing disease-related complications linked to malnutrition and poor camp conditions, while coordinating with local church leaders to identify urgent medical cases.

Hygiene and Sanitation Program

To combat disease and improve living conditions, NCNP distributes hygiene kits and promotes healthy practices within refugee camps. The program prioritizes sanitation access, hygiene education, and special support for vulnerable girls and children.

Non-Food Items (NFI) Support Program

Beyond food assistance, NCNP distributes critical non-food items including clothing, shelter materials, and basic household supplies. These interventions help families stabilize their living conditions and reduce vulnerability in displacement settings.

DONATE

As a ministry under the Church of the Nazarene, NCNP serves children in both body and spirit. Your generosity enables us to deliver nourishment, medical care, and Christian support to those facing severe hardship. Together, we can be the hands and feet of Christ in a time of urgent need.

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Contact Us

Have questions? Want to get involved? Feel free to reach out to our Director of the Board or one of our experienced Senior Advisors via email, telephone, or Whatsapp.