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The Productive Safety Net Program Combats Poverty in Ethiopia

Productive Safety Net ProgramEthiopia launched the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) in 2005 to reduce food insecurity and strengthen resilience to climate-related shocks. The program operates through cash transfers, public works and targeted nutrition support. According to the Climate Policy Initiative, the program reaches more than 8 million households each year, representing more than 7% of the population.

Background

The Climate Policy Initiative reports that Phase V of the PSNP began in November 2020 under the Strengthen Ethiopia’s Adaptive Safety Net Project. This project received a $200 million credit and a $312.5 million grant. It also received $430 million from USAID, $281 million from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and $600 million from the Government of Ethiopia.

This phase aims to expand the geographic scope of the program, improve PSNP implementation and strengthen disaster response efforts. These objectives support broader policy goals. According to the European External Action Service, this focuses on reducing extreme poverty in targeted rural areas and strengthening household resilience to recurrent shocks. 

It also aims to prevent harmful coping mechanisms, promote sustainable livelihoods and improve food security and access to essential services for vulnerable populations.

Project Components

The PSNP includes a range of components and policies. The European External Action Service reports that this program provides cash or food payments to about seven million people who participate in public works initiatives. Participants receive benefits for up to six months while engaging in community-building tasks.

One million people identified as chronically impoverished or unable to work receive unconditional benefits for 12 months. The program implements public works projects in both livestock-based and non-livestock-based areas to protect residents from resource losses linked to poverty and disasters. These projects focus on strengthening infrastructure, improving soil and water conservation and supporting environmental protection efforts.

Some policies include developing roads and schools, planting seedlings for reforestation, preventing soil erosion and creating or rehabilitating irrigation systems. PSNP provides financial and social services to beneficiaries. This program facilitates grants and loans for farming and nonfarming activities to support poverty reduction.

This program connects beneficiaries to social support services across nutrition, health and education. The Shock Responsive Safety Net administers assistance to beneficiaries facing food insecurity, particularly those affected by droughts and other shocks.

Environmental Shocks

Environmental policy plays a key role in the PSNP. As stated by the European External Action Service, integrating climate shift adaptation into public works projects helps minimize the impact of climate shocks on food insecurity. For example, watershed rehabilitation and area closures can promote vegetation growth for livestock feed.

In addition, environmental management efforts can lessen the risk of landslides, floods and soil erosion. According to the World Bank, a significant portion of Ethiopia’s population depends on rain-fed agriculture. The country has endured recurrent droughts in previous decades, historically occurring every three to five years.

While the frequency of environmental shocks has varied over the years, they remain a consistent concern that has shaped Ethiopia’s social protection response. The World Bank further states that droughts and famines have affected millions of people over multiple periods. Environmental degradation, weak resource management and shrinking landholdings driven by constraints in policy implementation have worsened the effects of droughts.

These factors have led to the degradation of productive assets and the erosion of household and community resilience.

Economic Impacts

Programs like the Productive Safety Net Program help stabilize incomes and productive assets, enabling households to participate in local and regional markets. By reducing financial uncertainty connected to recurrent shocks, PSNP helps create a predictable economic environment that supports trade and investment. Over time, these factors can expand consumer markets and reinforce supply chains, creating trade opportunities for companies based in the U.S. and the U.K.

– Sasha Banaei

Sasha is based in San Diego, CA, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Aquaculture Mapping: Fighting Hunger and Poverty in Côte d’Ivoire

How Côte d’Ivoire is Using Aquaculture Mapping to Fight Hunger and Poverty The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, or Ivory Coast, sits on the coast of West Africa and uses aquaculture mapping to fight hunger and poverty as part of its development strategy. From 1842 to 1960, France ruled Côte d’Ivoire. After gaining independence from France, Côte d’Ivoire established itself as a model of stability and economic prosperity in Africa. In 1999, Côte d’Ivoire experienced its first military coup, which caused the economy to collapse and triggered a civil war that split the country in two.

Persistent Food Insecurity

Côte d’Ivoire has made strides toward economic improvement and poverty reduction since this period of political destabilization. Yet progress remains limited and is especially apparent in the nutritional deficiencies that keep many citizens food insecure.

According to the World Bank, 44.2% of citizens experience moderate and severe food insecurity and about 7.7% of the total population is malnourished. Children face the most severe impacts, with 8% suffering from acute malnutrition and 20.2% experiencing impaired growth.

Stable production of basic staple crops has eased some of these issues, but it does not provide the necessary nutritional value for a healthy life. To improve outcomes for its people, the government created the Strategic Program for the Transformation of Aquaculture in Côte d’Ivoire (PSTACI), focusing on broader efforts in aquaculture mapping to fight hunger and poverty.

PSTACI

The Strategic Program for the Transformation of Aquaculture in Côte d’Ivoire (PSTACI) aims to combat poverty and food insecurity by strengthening the aquaculture sector. Its goals include:

  • Increasing employment for youth and women
  • Creating a self-sufficient fisheries sector in the economy
  • Eliminating Côte d’Ivoire’s deficit in aquaculture production

To accomplish these goals, the government partnered with PROBLUE, an Aquainvest platform created by the World Bank to support sustainable aquaculture development. PROBLUE’s aquaculture mapping methodology uses a multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) to identify the most productive locations in Côte d’Ivoire for aquaculture sites.

Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE)

The MCE evaluates site suitability using three categories:

  • Infrastructure. Evaluations consider distance from water sources, roads, urban areas, hatcheries, airports and communications installations.
  • Natural conditions. Evaluations consider soil type and land topography.
  • Land constraints. Evaluations consider whether a site lies in a protected area, military zone or urban area.

After applying these criteria to Côte d’Ivoire, World Bank analysts concluded that 99% of the country’s topography offers suitable land for aquaculture. They found that the soil types most suitable for aquaculture contain 18% to 35% clay.

When analysts accounted for land constraints, they found that 76% of the country lies outside protected areas, military zones and urban pockets. Based on infrastructure criteria, PROBLUE identified at least 70% of existing infrastructure as potentially suitable for aquaculture.

The Future of Aquaculture in Côte d’Ivoire

PSTACI plans to develop Sustainable Aquaculture Economic Zones at 30 sites that meet the necessary criteria. This plan offers an opportunity to rebuild the country’s food systems and reduce poverty and malnutrition. By attracting investors and entrepreneurs to these areas, Côte d’Ivoire can build a more stable economy. Additionally, this could lead to expanded opportunities for young people and the continued use of aquaculture mapping to fight hunger and poverty.

– Sachin Kapoor

Sachin is based in Atlanta, GA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Elderly Poverty in Equatorial Guinea

Elderly People in Equatorial GuineaElderly poverty in Equatorial Guinea has serious consequences. The World Bank reports that widespread poverty limits access to adequate food, health care and living conditions across the country. Older adults, who often lack stable income or social protection, are particularly vulnerable to these conditions, which can worsen health outcomes and reduce quality of life in old age.

Elderly Poverty in Equatorial Guinea

The elderly population individuals aged 65 or older accounts for an estimated 4.94% of the nation’s population, according to demographic data. While specific data on income levels and employment for older adults are limited, national poverty figures suggest that many senior citizens are vulnerable due to limited financial resources and low social nets.

Public spending on health, education and social protections remains low in Equatorial Guinea, at approximately 2% of GDP, which gives access to essential services for vulnerable groups, including older adults. This limited investment in public services can make it difficult for elderly citizens to secure regular income, manage health conditions or find a good amount of social support.

Access to health care remains limited for much of Equatorial Guinea’s population. According to the World Bank, the country continues to face challenges related to health system capacity and overall access to essential services. These limitations can be especially difficult for older adults, who are more likely to require ongoing medical care due to age- related health conditions.

Poverty can also limit access to adequate food and shelter. Reports on living conditions note that food insecurity and struggles to afford necessities affect many households in Equatorial Guinea. Older adults living in low income families may be particularly at risk, as they often depend on family members or community support to meet the basic needs.

Government Initiative: Social Assistance 

To address the needs of vulnerable populations, the Ministry of Social affairs and Gender Equality launched an initiative in 2015 to establish social assistance centers for elderly citizens. These centers were designed to reduce social isolation by providing communal spaces where seniors do not lack in areas of social activities, basic health support and community services.

While these centers aim to improve the wellbeing of elderly adults, publicly available data on the number of individuals served and specific outcomes remain limited. Most centers are concentrated in urban areas, which may leave rural older adults without access to similar services.

In addition, inadequate social protection systems can place extra strain on families who care for elderly relatives while also trying to meet their own economic needs. Strengthening support for older citizens can help improve quality of life and reduce the long term effects of poverty in later life.

Conclusion

Elderly poverty in Equatorial Guinea reflects broader social and economic inequalities within the country. Despite oil wealth, limited investment in public services and social protection has left many older citizens vulnerable. Programs such as social assistance centers for elderly people, partnerships with international health agencies and efforts to improve food security represent steps toward improving conditions for vulnerable populations. However, sustained and expanded support is essential to ensuring that older adults can live with dignity, secure basic needs and participate fully in society.

– Nishanth Pothapragada

Nishanth is based in London, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Water Scarcity, Inadequate Sanitation and Food Insecurity in Chad

Food Insecurity in ChadChad has been experiencing severe food insecurity and water scarcity, combined with insufficient sanitation services, for several years now. The main contributors to these disasters have been flooding, drought, conflict and inadequate infrastructure. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), Chad is now facing its sixth consecutive year of crisis-level hunger.

These crises have been worsened by the influx of refugees entering the country from Sudan, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Cameroon and other neighboring states. According to UNHCR data, more than 1.45 million refugees currently reside in Chad. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 90% of these refugees are women and children.

There are also nearly 226,000 internally displaced Chadians. In addition, children account for 57% of Chad’s total population, according to UNICEF.

Food Insecurity in Chad

Chad is currently the sixth most food-insecure country in the world. The WFP reports there are currently more than 3.4 million Chadians facing extreme hunger, a 240% increase since 2020. UNICEF has stated that there are more than 2 million Chadian children in need of treatment for severe wasting, which is the most life-threatening stage of malnutrition.

Additionally, according to the Global Nutrition Report, 31.1% of children in Chad under the age of 5 are stunted. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that in Chad, “the 2024/25 agricultural season is marked by the destruction of 819,370 hectares of sown land, primarily due to floods, plant pests and straying livestock. Conflict has also disrupted agriculture, adding to food insecurity in Chad.

The International Crisis Group has reported that between 2021 and 2024, farmer-herder conflict claimed the lives of more than 1,000 Chadians and left more than 2,000 injured. According to FEWS NET, agropastoral clashes have led to significant loss of life: “Since May 2025, 42 people were killed in Logone Occidental, 16 in Ouaddaï, 17 in Mayo Kebbi Ouest and six in Salamat due to these conflicts.” FEWS NET also reported that as of late June, only 11.8% of people earmarked for Chad’s 2025 humanitarian assistance plan had received food aid.

Humanitarian Aid

The WFP reported that between June and August 2024, it had disbursed food, cash and nutritional support to up to 1 million people and provided aid to an additional 400,000 people who had been impacted by flooding. Furthermore, it aims to assist 1 million breastfeeding and pregnant women, along with children aged 6-59 months, with treatment for malnutrition.

According to the FAO, in 2024, the United Nations (U.N.) provided 58.7 tonnes of crops and 3.5 tonnes of vegetable seed to more than 22,800 households in Chad. As a result, 42,660 tonnes of staple foods and 14,400 tonnes of fruits and vegetables were cultivated. Thirty percent was consumed and the remainder was sold for more than $5 million, distributed in average payments of $280 per household, which was sufficient to supply food for up to six months.

Additionally, in early 2025, the European Commission announced that it had allocated €74.5 million (approximately $83.9 million) to Chad for humanitarian assistance. According to UNICEF, in April, the organization appealed for $114.2 million in aid for Chad, with more than $50 million allocated for nutritional support and more than $24 million dedicated to WASH services. However, only 34% of the required funding has been secured.

Water Scarcity and Sanitation

According to the Interactive Country Fiches (ICF), “Chad has the third-lowest level of access to safe water and the lowest level of access to adequate sanitation in all of Africa.” Only 52% of Chad’s population has basic access to drinking water. However, Gannet’s Data Friendly Space (DFS) has reported that only 18% have access to safely managed sources and merely 10% of Chadians have access to basic sanitation.

Doctors Without Borders (DWB) reports, “In refugee camps across the Ouaddaï, Wadi Fira and Ennedi Est provinces, most refugees are receiving far less than the recommended 20 liters (nearly 5 gallons) of clean water per day. This shortage disproportionately affects women and children.” According to UNICEF, Chad’s mortality rate for children under the age of 5 is approximately one in 10. Gannet’s DFS reports that malaria is the leading cause of these deaths, while noting that insufficient sanitation, stagnant water and overcrowded camps further increase the risk of transmission.

Additionally, according to UNICEF, 68% of the population practices open defecation. This stems in part from the lack of latrines in refugee camps; DWB reports that many camps fail to meet the minimum standard of one latrine for every 50 people. With such a high rate of flooding, open defecation and inadequate water management, waterborne disease has wreaked havoc, leading to outbreaks of hepatitis E, cholera and typhoid. According to the WHO, between January and April 2024, there were 2,092 suspected cases of hepatitis E.

Cholera Outbreak

Regarding the recent cholera outbreak, the chief of WASH in Chad, Oumar Doumbouya, stated: “As of 20 October, we have 2,770 cases of cholera and 156 deaths, including 69 in communities. The disease remains active in three provinces: Ouaddaï, Sila and Guéra.” In 2024, the International Water Association reported that more than 78% of the population in N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, obtained water from hand pumps.

Doumbouya noted that UNICEF is working to improve water sources across the country. “Just to give you a figure, we have been recently working on trying to upgrade water points in Chad to put this from a simple hand pump to a solar motorized water supply system and basically, we were able to identify more than 5,000 water points that needed to be upgraded.”

UNICEF has reported that in February 2024, it facilitated funding for the installation of two water treatment units in Baga Sola and Bol, which, combined, provide 20 liters of water per person to 4,000 people each day. DWB has also made significant contributions to improving conditions in refugee camps. According to the organization, “In the last two years, MSF [DWB] treated 43,908 patients for acute malnutrition and responded to hepatitis E and typhoid outbreaks in Adré, Aboutengue and Metché.”

In the Adré transit camp alone, water systems built by DWB produced 654,000 liters of water per day in May. The organization also restored 229 latrines, constructed 80 long-term latrines and cleaned 539 existing ones in Adré.

Final Remarks

The battle against food insecurity, water scarcity and poor sanitation in Chad is far from over. However, with the help of international organizations, the nation is making progress every day.

– Owen Armentrout

Owen is based in Detroit, MI, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Kyrgyzstan: What the McGovern-Dole Cutoff Means for Schools

McGovern-DoleFor more than a decade, schools in Kyrgyzstan have benefited from the McGovern-Dole Program of International Food for Education and Child Nutrition (MGD). MGD is operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). The program supports education, child development and food security in low-income, food-deficient countries.

It does this by donating U.S. agricultural commodities and providing financial and technical assistance to implement school feeding and maternal and child nutrition projects. Mercy Corps has implemented the MGD program in Kyrgyzstan since 2012. It has provided fortified flour, rice, peas, lentils and vegetable oil, along with infrastructure upgrades such as kitchen rehabilitation and hygiene improvements.

Impact and Recent Developments

Between 2012 and 2021, the program supported approximately 510 schools. It delivered around 3,810 metric tons of commodities, reaching more than 100,000 children in kindergartens and primary schools. During the 2022–2023 academic year, the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek reported that about 24,000 schoolchildren in 120 rural primary schools received fortified food supplies.

These include 40 metric tons of vitaminized sunflower oil and 500 metric tons of staple foods. In May 2025, Reuters reported that the USDA canceled 17 McGovern-Dole projects as part of a reduction in U.S. international food aid, affecting countries including Kyrgyzstan.

The Impact of School Meals on Learning and Nutrition

Baseline and endline studies conducted in Kyrgyzstan have examined the relationship between school feeding, nutrition and educational outcomes. The International Security and Development Center (ISDC) report “McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition in Kyrgyzstan – Baseline Study on Nutritional Variables” (2020) documents the nutritional status of primary school students and their households. It shows that better diet diversity and nutrition knowledge correlate with improved cognitive and learning outcomes.

A follow-up Phase II study on child development under the same program surveyed more than 4,500 students and households. It found that the program improved nutrition knowledge, attitudes and behavior among participating families. Similarly, the Life in Kyrgyzstan (LiK) research conference paper “Child Development in the Context of a School Feeding Program in Kyrgyzstan” highlights that exposure to school meals and nutrition education supports better cognitive function and school performance.

The USDA emphasizes that MGD programs are designed to be sustainable, with the goal that “communities served… can ultimately continue the sponsored activities on their own or with support from other sources such as the host government or local community.”

Why the Program Matters

The MGD program’s objective is “to reduce hunger and improve literacy and primary education, especially for girls.” In Kyrgyzstan, where many rural families face limited access to nutritious meals, the school feeding initiative has become an important support system for children’s education and health. Studies from ISDC and Mercy Corps show that the combination of school meals, parental nutrition education and improved school infrastructure leads to healthier, better-performing students.

Globally, organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and the School Meals Coalition note that school feeding programs serve as major social safety nets and generate long-term economic benefits. Analyses cited by these groups estimate that every U.S. dollar invested in school meals can yield up to $9 in returns through improved health, education and productivity.

Looking Ahead

Evidence from Kyrgyzstan shows that school feeding can improve nutrition knowledge, attendance and learning outcomes when implemented consistently. Mercy Corps and ISDC studies demonstrate that combining food provision with education, infrastructure and parental engagement strengthens long-term sustainability. However, the future of the McGovern-Dole Program remains uncertain as U.S. budget debates continue. Lawmakers have yet to confirm whether the program will receive renewed support, leaving schools and implementing partners in Kyrgyzstan without clear guidance on long-term funding.

Ensuring that Kyrgyz children continue to receive nutritious meals at school will help sustain progress in education, health and equality.

– Clara Garza

Clara is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Maternal and Child Malnutrition in Afghanistan

Malnutrition in AfghanistanWith more than 15 million people in Afghanistan experiencing acute food insecurity, women and children are facing the brunt of this harsh reality. Afghanistan is among the most dangerous countries for babies, children and mothers, with soaring rates of malnutrition and access to health care beyond reach for many.

Causes of the Afghan Food Crisis

The high levels of food instability in Afghanistan are driven primarily by a fragile economy, exacerbated by sociopolitical turmoil and environmental disasters. These disasters have recently had an especially severe impact on food security, as about 80% of Afghanistan’s population consists of farmers who rely on their own production for sustenance and income. Because of environmental instability, harvests are often lost or missed due to displacement, leaving markets empty.

Social mores and low health literacy also hinder women’s access to and understanding of proper nutrition for themselves and their children. Taliban restrictions on women’s education and mobility have severely curtailed their access to care. Additionally, increased poverty means that many women, especially pregnant women, are unable to utilize health care services such as perinatal visits.

Women are also unable to travel without being escorted by a male relative, hindering their access to pre- and postnatal care. The systematic stripping of women’s autonomy in Afghanistan means that malnutrition is having disastrous consequences for pregnant women, mothers and their children. On top of these, donor funding and NGO intervention were cut following the Taliban takeover in 2021, as Taliban policies limited how much donors were willing to help.

Health Care System

Afghanistan’s health care system is highly reliant on foreign aid. When this abruptly stopped in 2021, preventative education and care for those malnourished ceased, affecting women and children the most. Sanctions were imposed on the Taliban government, further restricting Afghan citizens’ access to food and medical supplies.

This crisis has been exacerbated by Afghanistan’s largest donor, the U.S., halting nearly all aid earlier this year. John Aylieff, the WFP’s country director, underscored the impact of these cuts, stating, “Food assistance kept a lid on this country hunger and malnutrition… The lid has now been lifted. The soaring of malnutrition is placing the lives of more than three million children in peril.”

Consequences of Malnutrition for Mothers and Their Children

The year began in Afghanistan with one of the highest recorded increases in child malnutrition, with only 12% of children aged 6 to 24 months receiving adequate quantities and quality of food. The food crisis also has a deeply gendered dimension. According to UNICEF, women are disproportionately affected and the gender gap in food access continues to widen.

Women’s and girls’ health is crucial to infants’ health, as malnutrition creates an intergenerational cycle. When women lack adequate nutrition, rates of undernourished children rise, with devastating consequences for growth and learning. According to the U.N., nearly half of all Afghan children are stunted due to limited diets.

Since the Taliban takeover, the situation has only continued to worsen and new insights have come forth in a report by Johns Hopkins titled “The Crisis of Maternal and Child Health in Afghanistan.” One third of the health professionals interviewed have perceived that infant and maternal mortality have increased. Another lamented that women in labor or those with sick children do not come to clinics for lack of money or fears of the Taliban.

The rise in child mortality is visible across Afghanistan. At the Sheidaee graveyard, BBC journalists counted graves with no official records. They found that roughly two-thirds belonged to children. They also visited the malnutrition ward of Badakhshan Regional Hospital, where 26 children shared 12 beds.

The youngest patient, Sana, was only three months old and suffered from malnutrition, acute diarrhea and a cleft lip. When journalists followed up with her family, they learned that Sana had sadly passed away.

What Is Being Done?

Despite this, there has been a shift toward community-based prevention efforts to aid malnutrition in women and children. In August this year, UNICEF and the WFP launched a joint plan to stop child wasting in Afghanistan. This action reinforces the importance of maternal nutrition, local food solutions and the convergence of community-based services.

What is evident here is a renewed push to address the root causes of malnutrition. They have pledged to ensure malnourished children receive treatment and help break the intergenerational cycle by improving breastfeeding practices and nutrition education. The WFP has also offered women safe spaces through its skills training and livelihood programs, which offer women the opportunity to earn an income and build a community.

While there have been significant strides to address malnutrition in Afghanistan, aid is under constant threat of being slashed due to funding cuts. As UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell commented, “When a girl or woman does not get adequate nutrition, gender inequality is perpetuated.” A well-balanced diet is the bedrock of child survival, so it is integral that life-saving support is directed to those who need it most.

– Libby Foxwell

Libby is based in Sherborne, Dorset and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Food Insecurity in Georgia

Fighting Food Insecurity in Georgia Georgia, a country located between Europe and Asia, has seen steady improvements in poverty and food insecurity. However, recent events including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, mean that actively fighting these issues is still essential.

Food Insecurity in Georgia

The New Humanitarian reported in 2022 that while Georgia typically did not experience high levels of food insecurity due to its reliance on Russia and Ukraine, the war between the two has caused food insecurity and poverty to rise. Wheat imports to Georgia were significantly reduced after the start of the war, with “105,000 tons in the first three quarters, compared to 283,000 tons in 2021 and 368,700 tons in 2020,” and 30% of people who responded to a poll in Georgia said they could not afford the food they needed every month.

More recent statistics from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) show that of Georgia’s 3.7 million population, 11.8% were living below the national poverty line. Additionally, between 2021 and 2023, 4% of the total population was undernourished. While food insecurity and undernourishment are not as high in children, with 0.6% malnourished (wasting), the Global Hunger Index reports that the growth of 5.1% of children under the age of 5 is stunted and 0.9% of children die before turning 5. Therefore, while Georgia ranks low on the Global Hunger Index, fighting food insecurity in Georgia remains essential.

Organizations Making a Difference in Georgia

While food insecurity remains a problem, numerous charities and organizations are working to tackle the issue. Action Against Hunger has 34 employees in Georgia and has worked to reduce food insecurity in the country since 1993. In 2024, it helped 35,460 people. The organization focuses particularly on helping Ukrainian refugees in Georgia, providing food and hygiene support to 886 refugees. The organization also tackles food insecurity at its source by supporting projects focused on job creation and agricultural livelihood training so that families experiencing poverty and food insecurity become more self-reliant.

Another organization fighting food insecurity in Georgia is People in Need, which collaborated with the European Union in launching Georgia’s first food bank initiative. This program takes a sustainable approach by redistributing unsold food to those in need. It also addresses the causes of food insecurity, not only by reducing food waste through community-level awareness campaigns but also by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and farm losses.

Looking Forward

Through the continued efforts of these organizations dedicated to fighting food insecurity in Georgia, the percentage of those in the country experiencing hunger has stayed low. However, due to the unpredictability of the Russia-Ukraine war, it is crucial that these organizations continue to receive support so they can carry on their important work.

– Victoria Adrados

Victoria is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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A Hard Look at Food and Water Scarcity in Afghanistan

Water Scarcity in AfghanistanFor many years, millions of people in Afghanistan have been facing severe levels of food insecurity compounded by critical water scarcity. Despite improvements in the winter season of 2021-2022, the crisis has remained mostly stagnant.

This results from drought, flash floods, dependence on other nations and damaged or insufficient infrastructure.

Water Scarcity

Afghanistan has been in the midst of a crippling drought since 2021. As of March, it’s estimated that 33 million Afghans do not have reliable access to water, according to the Red Cross. In 2023, 25 out of 34 provinces in Afghanistan were experiencing drastic water scarcity due to drought conditions. Similarly, UNICEF has reported that 80% of Afghans drink from unsafe, unregulated sources.

About 93% of children in Afghanistan reside in areas with high water vulnerability. The primary water source for Afghans is wells, of which there are more than 310,000. Mercy Corps has also reported an additional 120,000 borewells in and around Kabul alone. However, many of these wells have become unreliable. As of 2023, nearly half of Kabul’s borewells have run completely dry, while the remaining operable ones are deficient, retaining only 60% of their capacity.

In addition, Al Jazeera reports that “up to 80% of groundwater [in Kabul] is believed to be unsafe, with high levels of sewage, arsenic and salinity.” Furthermore, according to the U.N., in early 2024, many of the country’s northern and eastern regions experienced only 45–60% of the average precipitation. Mercy Corps reported that “Kabul’s aquifer levels have plummeted 25–30 meters in the past decade, with extraction exceeding natural recharge by a staggering 44 million cubic meters annually.”

By 2030, Kabul is predicted to become the first major city in the world to completely deplete its water sources, leaving six million people in dire need. However, there have been initiatives to combat this nationwide issue. In 2024, the Red Cross reported that its efforts to rebuild infrastructure in urban areas such as Kabul, Herat and Kandahar improved access to water for more than 1.1 million people. It also repaired more than 1,300 pumps and supplied villages with more than 1,800 sand filters, ultimately helping more than 275,000 Afghans. In May, the U.N. allocated $16.6 million to the Afghan government to help reduce the effects of drought in the north and northeastern regions.

Food Insecurity

As of 2023, 45% of Afghans were employed in the agricultural sector. However, flash floods, drought, earthquakes and poor infrastructure have proven catastrophic to crop yields, further worsening the nation’s dwindling food supply. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, as of April, an estimated 12.6 million Afghans were experiencing high levels of food insecurity. This is more than a quarter of the population. Of this group, 10.6 million were classified as emergency cases, while 1.95 million were in the crisis category.

According to the World Food Programme (WFP), 4.7 million women and children in Afghanistan currently need treatment for malnutrition. UNICEF also reports that one in three adolescent girls is anemic and only 12% of children aged 6–24 months receive the appropriate variety of nutrition for their age. This issue has been exacerbated by recent earthquakes, which have put 37,000 children at even greater risk.

The U.N. has also reported that “desertification has affected more than 75% of the total land area in the country’s northern, western and southern regions, reducing vegetation cover for pasture, accelerating land degradation and affecting crop farming in the last four decades.” Furthermore, the WFP was forced to halt aid distribution in May due to funding shortfalls. The nonprofit also stated that more than $560 million would be needed to continue its efforts.

However, UNICEF still provides aid. As of 2024, it reported supplying more than 62,000 families with micronutrient powder to combat malnutrition, with that number continuing to rise into this year. The organization also supports pregnant and lactating women, as well as children, in 34 regions. In total, UNICEF said it helped more than 630,000 children combat malnutrition in 2024 alone.

– Owen Armentrout

Owen is based in Detroit, MI, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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How Urban Agriculture in Morocco is Tackling Food Insecurity

Urban Agriculture in MoroccoMorocco has struggled to feed many of its 38 million people. The country, nestled on the northwestern coast of Africa, has more than 2.1 million people who are considered malnourished. Malnutrition rates are particularly high among already vulnerable populations like children and refugees in Morocco.

The problem is particularly acute in rural areas but has also been affecting urban areas. In Morocco’s largest cities of Casablanca, Rabat, Fes and Tangier, thousands of families lack proper nutrition. Even when government programs and charities provide these families with food aid, their food is often unhealthy, lacking fresh fruits and vegetables. The evident food insecurity—lack of access to healthy, sufficient foodstuffs—across Morocco has caused millions of dollars in lost economic productivity and health care costs.

A Fitting Solution

The enormous toll of food insecurity in urban Morocco has given rise to a novel solution: urban agriculture. Urban agriculture refers to farming on dedicated plots of land within urban areas. The practice most commonly occurs within community gardens, rooftop farms and vertical farms in cities. These gardens and farms typically grow fresh fruits and vegetables that are then sold or donated to families in the community.

Across Morocco’s largest cities, several stakeholders have successfully deployed urban agriculture. In Casablanca, the country’s largest city, rooftop and community gardens have emerged in the neighborhoods of Hay Mohammadi and Sidi Moumen. The produce from these urban agriculture projects is sold in local markets at cheap prices, allowing needy Moroccans to access fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables they may not have otherwise been able to access.

Similarly, Morocco’s capital of Rabat has witnessed the proliferation of community gardens across public parks. These gardens largely produce “vegetables and herbs” for nearby families, alleviating local food insecurity.

Limitations Persist

Despite the success of urban agriculture in Morocco in providing fresh, healthy and affordable produce to families in need, there remain limitations to its broader effectiveness. They are few in number and small in size, especially compared to Morocco’s rural farms. This limits the amount of urban agriculture-sourced produce directly available to food-insecure Moroccan families.

Moreover, urban agriculture in garden spaces in Casablanca or on rooftops in Rabat is generally spearheaded by private—not public—stakeholders. It received only limited government sponsorship until 2025. The lack of sufficient government support for Moroccan urban agriculture may hamper the expansion of the practice.

Urban Agriculture’s Potential

Despite the limitations of urban agriculture in Morocco, it can continue to enhance food security for Moroccan families in need. The country has numerous families that do not have enough food to eat. Yet, private individuals and stakeholders have managed to create urban farms across cities like Casablanca and Rabat, to feed needy families fresh and healthy produce at an affordable cost.

The fresh, healthy and affordable nature of urban agriculture yields makes them an integral component of any viable plan for food security in urban Morocco.

– Pranav Kanmadikar

Pranav is based in Louisville, KY, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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9 Initiatives Boosting Progress on SDG 17 in Brazil

SDG 17 in BrazilIn the midst of an arid rural environment, many Brazilians who once struggled with poverty and lack of opportunity are now having support through Brazil’s progress in achieving SDG 17 in Brazil. Communities that were once overlooked are not only gaining access to a steady income but also receiving the long-deserved recognition they deserve.

Brazil’s Sustainable Development Goals

This success story shows Brazil’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 global aims that the United Nations created in 2015  to create a more equitable and sustainable future. This drive emerged as countries around the world faced growing global issues of poverty, changing weather patterns and ecological damage internationally. Each goal addresses a specific priority.

SDG 17 specifically aims for the implementation of “partnerships to achieve objectives.” The government, civilians and the private sector work together to bring economic stability, improve international trading and advance sustainable initiatives for resource allocation. By examining the nine ways that Brazil is advancing SDG 17, one can clearly see its commitments to the cause. 

1. FAO-IDB Brasília Action for Rural Resilience 

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) partnered with Brazil’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to launch the Brasília Action for Rural Resilience.

Environmental Ministries from nine Latin American and Caribbean countries, along with civilians, development banks and multilateral organization specialists, joined the effort. They focused on strengthening social protections and promoting policies that improve rural lives and address climate justice. 

By coordinating economic, social and environmental sectors more efficiently, this partnership advances the goals of the SDGs. Two of its major successes include the Sustainable and Inclusive Piauí Project, which enhanced the lives of 210,000 rural families by increasing farmers’ income, expanding access to basic services like water and sanitation, and reducing food insecurity, and the Planting Climate Resilience in Rural Communities of the Northeast project, which boosted rural families’ climate resilience by installing solar-powered irrigation and pushing for low-emission agricultural technique. 

2. The Bolsa Verde Programme

The Bolsa Verde programme combined sustainability and economic development by providing technical training and generating income for rural civilians living in environmentally protected areas. In exchange, civilians actively maintained efforts to protect the surrounding nature. 

Brazil achieved astonishing progress on SDG 17 in this initiative, reducing CO2 emissions by 415 million UAS, four times the program’s cost. Additionally, 51,000 rural families gained proper knowledge on how to sustainably make agricultural practices. 

This example demonstrates how Brazil has turned SDG 17 in Brazil from theory into concrete actions that deliver both environmental and economic benefits to local communities. 

3. Together for Health

Brazil’s national bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) launched the Together for Health initiative, and the Institute for the Development of Social Investment (IDIS) coordinated its efforts. It aims to fundraise to strengthen the Unified Health System (SUS) in Brazil’s North and Northeastern regions. 

Through match-funding, the initiative plans to allocate BRL 200 million to health projects in the region by 2026. So far, the program has issued BRL 96 million and reached 300 cities. 

Brazil faces considerable challenges, especially in the North and Northeastern regions, where hospitals struggle with understaffing and high disease burdens leave many communities underserved due to limited infrastructure. This initiative is aimed at bridging these gaps through funding projects and expanding access to essential services, creating  a more equitable and effective health care system for those who need it most.

4. Catalyst 2030 

Brazil advanced SDG 17 through the “Catalyzing Fund Challenge,” which implements projects to expand clean water access for Brazil’s Munduruku Indigenous people. The initiative installs water filters, educates communities on safe water practices and boosts collective action by tackling the critical lack of clean drinking water that affects many Indigenous households. 

Additionally, three Brazilian B-Corps including MagikJC, Gaia Group and Din4mo jointly created the Organized System for Affordable Housing, a nonprofit that provides social housing to marginalized urban populations. This collaboration raised BRL 15 million through real estate receivables certificates (CRI) on São Paulo’s Stock Exchange. The project clearly demonstrates how SDG 17 in Brazil boosts innovation and tangible solutions to serve both rural and urban communities.

5. IFAD’s 13th Replenishment

This UN fund supports farmers and helps them achieve sustainable, productive capacities. Under Brazil’s leadership, G20 leaders committed to fighting global poverty and starvation to advance social inclusion. So far, Brazil has pledged $13 million USD to IFAD in its three-year work program.

The newest reports confirm that Brazil has successfully reduced hunger, according to the UN Hunger Map, demonstrating solid results from both international and domestic partnerships.

6. Caatinga Restoration Through PPI

Brazil formed a partnership to oversee the regions of Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte and Pernambuco. The government aimed to boost sustainable food production and generate income for nearly 5,000 rural families. 

This collaboration was done as a way of tackling food insecurity in the region, due to the limited resources and degraded land that threaten proper nutrition and the livelihood of rural families. Brazil’s advanced SDG 17 in this case by actively bringing together the private sector, government and local communities, while empowering women in rural businesses in the Caatinga. 

The partnership implemented the Production, Protection and Inclusion (PPI) mechanism, which provided rural families with access to credit, created market opportunities for women in farming, promoted environmental protection and supported sustainable agriculture. 

7. Envision Energy

Brazil and China jointly announced a $1 billion investment from China’s Envision Energy to boost eco-friendly aviation fuel made from Brazilian sugarcane. This collaboration boosts sustainable low-carbon fuel production, as well as promotes innovative energy technologies that target industries and their ecological footprint on the atmosphere. China’s Windey Energy Technology and Brazil’s Senai Cimatec are actively advancing this innovative initiative together. 

8. Brazil-France Amazon Partnership

Brazil and France joined forces to protect the Guyanese and Brazilian Amazon forest by launching a four-year investment program of EUR €1 billion using both public and private funds. Brazil demonstrated its SDG 17 progress by pledging through the partnership to stop deforestation in the Amazon by 2030, while also supporting sustainable development through payments for environmental services, financing and market-based joint frameworks that actively engage both private and public actors. 

9. BNDES Green Investment Lead

To attract foreign investment in sustainable developments, Brazil launched a platform that begins with BRL $5 billion in private sector actions, with a final aim to raise 18 billion reais in investments. Brazil selects initiatives that align with their environmentally focused priorities, including mobility, industry and “nature-based solutions.” The state’s development bank, BNDES, manages the project and leverages the capital to provide funding. This program becomes essential for Brazil’s SDG 17 goals, since it will increase the country’s reputation on environmental governance and bring a collaborative strategy for sustainable development of the nation.

Lessons Learned

These examples summarize what Lula’s administration has actively pursued, showcasing Brazil’s SDG 17 progress in advancing a greener and more equitable future. Indeed, when examining SDG 17 in Brazil, one can see that building partnerships lies at the core of the country’s strategies for achieving its SDG goals. From Indigenous water projects to billion-dollar Amazon agreements, SDG 17 in Brazil demonstrates how the government, local communities and international partners can actively shape a sustainable future. 

By advancing SDG 17, Brazil is addressing poverty inequalities and, through collaborations with the private sector, civilians and government, creating opportunities that promote the sustainable livelihood of marginalized communities. 

– Liz Mendes

Liz is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr