A deeply moving new documentary, On the Frontlines of Hunger, is drawing international attention to one of the world’s most devastating and underreported humanitarian emergencies — the hunger crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. Produced by the global charity Mary’s Meals, the film combines powerful storytelling with on-the-ground reporting to reveal how conflict, drought, and displacement have left millions struggling for survival. While its story unfolds thousands of miles away, the heart of the film has a meaningful connection to New Jersey, where Mary’s Meals USA is headquartered in Bloomfield.
The documentary, narrated by actress Roma Downey and featuring humanitarian advocate Sir Bob Geldof, offers a rare glimpse into a region that has been largely inaccessible to journalists and international aid organizations.
Through firsthand accounts, the film captures the voices of families and children facing unimaginable hardship — and the lifeline that Mary’s Meals provides through its school feeding programs. These meals, often the only food many children receive each day, are not just nourishment but a beacon of hope that allows students to return to classrooms and communities to begin rebuilding.
Filmed amid the difficult terrain and harsh realities of northern Ethiopia, On the Frontlines of Hunger highlights both the scale of the crisis and the human resilience that continues to endure despite overwhelming odds. Viewers are taken inside makeshift classrooms, refugee settlements, and aid distribution centers to witness the impact of hunger on a generation growing up in the shadow of conflict. Yet amid the devastation, there is also extraordinary courage — communities determined to survive and rebuild through solidarity, faith, and the power of education.
Sir Bob Geldof, known for his decades of humanitarian activism, brings a global voice to the film’s urgent message. His reflections, paired with Downey’s compassionate narration, underscore the importance of awareness and action in the face of silent suffering. Together, they call on audiences to confront the human cost of global hunger and to support the organizations working tirelessly on the ground to combat it.
For Mary’s Meals, which began more than two decades ago with a simple mission — to provide meals for children in their place of education — this film serves as both a testament and a call to action. The charity now reaches more than two million children daily across 18 countries, offering not only food but a path toward stability and education. In Ethiopia’s Tigray region, the organization’s presence has been especially vital as families return to destroyed villages and try to restart their lives after years of conflict.
The release of On the Frontlines of Hunger also reflects the growing influence of New Jersey in global humanitarian efforts. With Mary’s Meals USA based in Bloomfield, the state has become a national hub for charitable outreach and advocacy aimed at fighting food insecurity around the world. The organization’s team in New Jersey coordinates fundraising campaigns, awareness initiatives, and partnerships with schools, churches, and businesses throughout the United States — all dedicated to the belief that no child should go hungry in today’s world.
Scheduled for global digital release on November 5, 2025, the film is expected to spark vital conversations about how the international community responds to crises that too often go unseen. By connecting viewers in places like New Jersey to those living on the edge of survival in Ethiopia, On the Frontlines of Hunger bridges continents and challenges audiences to recognize their shared humanity.
This story is a reminder that compassion knows no borders. Whether through donations, advocacy, or simply spreading awareness, people everywhere — including right here in New Jersey — can play a role in fighting hunger and supporting the education of children in crisis zones.
For more stories highlighting compassion, advocacy, and humanitarian efforts across New Jersey and beyond, visit Explore New Jersey’s Humane State section.
