World Food Day, first celebrated in 1979, is observed every year on October 16 to raise awareness about global hunger and promote action for a sustainable future for food, people, and the planet. The 2025 celebration holds special significance as it marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The day highlights the urgent need for global collaboration to ensure food security and end hunger.
The theme for World Food Day 2025 is “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” It emphasizes international cooperation, teamwork, and strong local communities to create a peaceful and food-secure world. While the planet produces enough food to feed everyone, hunger persists due to conflicts, climate change, and economic inequalities that prevent fair access to resources. The FAO calls for joint global efforts to address these interconnected challenges and support sustainable food systems.
In Chad, Concern Worldwide is implementing the Concerted and Inclusive Development in the Lake Province (DECILAC) project, supported by Facilité G5 Sahel, to improve food security and strengthen local agricultural value chains. The initiative focuses on boosting climate and financial resilience, redeveloping agricultural polders, and enhancing fish markets. It also supports dietary diversity through the Chronic Humanitarian Crisis program, funded by Irish Aid, which assists market gardening and fishing communities.
In Sierra Leone, Concern’s Yoti Yoti initiative, funded by Irish Aid, promotes food and nutrition security through climate-smart agriculture and equitable food systems. Implemented across 64 communities, the project has already reached nearly 9,500 people in its first year and aims to benefit 21,000 in total. It seeks to improve food availability, access, and stability while ensuring inclusive participation and evidence-based policymaking.
In Bangladesh, Concern led the Collective Responsibility Action and Accountability for Improved Nutrition (CRAAIN) project, in collaboration with WaterAid Bangladesh, Rupantar, and Jagrata Juba Shangha. This program took a community-based, intersectional approach to tackle undernutrition and promote health, hygiene, and gender equality. Through hands-on training and resources, families learned to grow nutritious foods and adopt better dietary practices. Between 2020 and 2023, the project reached nearly half a million people, improving both nutrition and livelihoods.
World Food Day remains vital as it aligns with the FAO’s mission to eradicate hunger and enhance living conditions in rural areas. It also reinforces the efforts of partner organizations like Concern Worldwide, highlighting that hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity remain among the world’s most urgent challenges. With 2030 approaching, the call for achieving Zero Hunger is more pressing than ever.
Ahead of World Food Day 2025, Concern and Welthungerhilfe will release the annual Global Hunger Index on October 9, assessing hunger through key indicators such as undernourishment, child wasting, stunting, and mortality. The index serves as a critical benchmark for tracking global progress.
This year, Concern is also encouraging people to mark World Food Day by coming together to share a meal and raise funds to support Gaza. From community dinners to office lunches, every event aims to foster solidarity and contribute to global efforts against hunger.
