New Zealand churches will today join a 'Global Day of Prayer to End Famine.'

It's an initiative of the The World Council of Churches in response to a growing global hunger crisis that is affecting millions of people.

The national director of the Christian World Service, Pauline McKay, says it's also about fundraising.

She said they have partnered with Maridi Service Agency in South Sudan where the United Nations has predicted 5.5 million people will be hungry by July.

"This organisation provides two meals a week to nursery schools. They usually provide the children with a meal everyday - but now they can only afford to provide two meals a week," Ms McKay said.

She also added that 20 million people are living on the edge of starvation in north-eastern Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen, and that without greatly increased financial support and protection, the outlook for many is bleak.

"One of the impacts of the famine is that food prices have risen 800 percent, so even when there is food available it's very expensive and most people can't afford it," she said.