IHG and Action Against Hunger partner to tackle food insecurity

IHG Hotels and Resorts has announced a new multi-year partnership with global NGO Action Against Hunger in support of its invaluable work to combat food insecurity and hunger for millions of people around the world.

It said the partnership comes following estimates that one in three people globally are uncertain where their next meal is coming from, due to poverty, conflict, inefficient food systems and climate change.

Through thousands of hotels in communities across more than 100 countries, IHG has long supported efforts to improve food security, alongside supporting disaster relief efforts and providing skills training, as part of a pledge to improve the lives of 30 million people in its Journey to Tomorrow responsible business plan.

For decades, Action Against Hunger has been preventing, detecting and treating hunger, with its world-renowned screen, treat and sustain programme providing help across East Africa, Central Africa, West Africa, Asia, the Americas, Middle East and Europe.

IHG will help support and fund Action Against Hunger’s nutrition programmes, with a specific focus on screening initiatives designed to spot early signs of malnutrition in children and provide potentially lifesaving treatment through local community outreach programmes.

IHG said it will also seek to grow awareness of this “critical issue” with millions of guests around the world and give them the opportunity to donate IHG One Rewards points to the cause. For example, every 10,000 points donated is enough to screen approximately 124 children for malnutrition, an essential first step toward the care they need and on average, 7,500 points can support a malnourished child with nutritious food for six weeks and help bring them back to health.

Elie Maalouf, CEO, IHG Hotels and Resorts, said: “Food sits at the heart of our hotels and hospitality, nourishing people and communities, and yet sadly we know it remains in desperately short supply for millions of people, despite enough being produced to feed everyone on the planet.

“This is a problem the world can solve if societies, organisations and businesses work together. IHG Hotels and Resorts is proud to partner with Action Against Hunger on their life saving work, in addition to the many other long-standing partnerships we have with incredible charities in local markets. Collectively we want to help create lasting change in a world where people are nourished, always welcome, and always respected.”

Ashwini Kakkar, chair, Action Against Hunger International Network, added: “While hunger is a widespread challenge, for the first time in human history, we have the ability to end chronic hunger for everyone, for good. Realising that vision will take bold action and we are grateful for IHG’s will, wisdom and leadership in advancing this vital cause. Hunger makes it harder for hundreds of millions of people around the world to learn, work, dream and realise their full potential. IHG’s generous support will help advance our work to create a world where every life is well nourished.”