Archive for category: Food Insecurity

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Everything To Know About Hunger in Chile

Hunger in ChileChile is a country in South America with a population of about 21 million. Compared to other countries in the region, hunger is not one of its major problems. It scores less than five on the Global Hunger Index. This puts it in the top 25 countries in terms of GHI. As positive as this is, this doesn’t tell everything there is to know about hunger in Chile.

Everything To Know About Hunger in Chile

Food insecurity has typically not affected Chile in the same way as it has other Latin American countries. The statistics on it can be quite misleading. The Millennium Development Goal (MDG) is a set of goals aimed at halving the number of people suffering from malnutrition. In 2015, it was the first country to do this, but on the flip side, 28.2 % of the country’s population still suffered from malnutrition. Even in just the last 10 years, food security has become a real issue. It affected 17.3% of the population in 2023, whereas it now affects more than three million people.

Why Has This Happened?

Hunger in Chile really comes down to two main issues, agriculture and migration.

Technology is advancing, and in most cases, these are positive steps forward. However, farmers in Chile have struggled to keep up. Statistics from the Chilean government show that indigenous agriculture and family-owned farms make up about 73% of the total agricultural units in the country. This means that they are more likely to use older and less efficient equipment than adopt modern ways of farming, which naturally has resulted in slower production.

Also, according to the Migration Policy Centre, the growing concern of climate unpredictability is causing farmers to leave rural areas for the city. These issues combined are resulting in less and less production of food for both themselves and the broader public.

Migration

The other issue affecting food security is migration. Migration has spiked in recent years in Chile, and this is causing the demographics of the country to change quite significantly. Between 2018 and 2023, there was a 47% increase in the foreign population. The vast majority of migrants are coming from other Latin American countries, mainly Venezuela (38%), amongst others. Migrants are an at–risk group, and food insecurity usually disproportionately affects them. In particular, migrant women often find it harder to afford a place to live, especially with the current high cost of living in Chile. This, paired with their finding it harder to access the necessary support networks, means migrant women are at a higher risk of suffering malnutrition.

Solutions

Unfortunately, the issue of migration continues to cause real concern regarding food security, especially for the migrants themselves. In regard to farming, the Chilean government has been stepping up to help alleviate some of its agricultural issues. In January 2024, it invested $50 million in a project with specific goals set out to tackle its food security concerns.

The first is to modernize Chilean farms and farmers themselves. The government set out to educate farmers through digital means, while also helping to monitor progress on farms through technological advancement.

As part of the investment plan, new technology is now also helping to prevent diseases and pests from harming the land and livestock.

As mentioned previously, the climate is a major concern for farmers, whether it be to continue to grow food or just to simply live in that area and not have to migrate to the city. This is why, as part of this investment, risk management has become a major factor. The government expanded the coverage of the Red Agroclimatologica Nacional (RAN), which is the National Agro – Meteorological Network of Chile.

It is not only the government that is helping to slow down the rate of food insecurity. An NGO called Fundacion Social Amar Das is a Chilean-based nonprofit, started in 2019, that sets out to “support the hope of the hopeless in Chile,” as its website says. GlobalGiving has vetted it and recognizes it, and volunteers who deliver food directly to people who are often homeless run it. Through donations, it is actively improving the lives of many.

Looking Ahead

The goals that the government set out are now slowly changing the path on which Chile was headed concerning food security. Chile is becoming more proactive, rather than reactive, in regard its farming policies. There is still much work that the country needs to do, but as these plans take shape, the Chilean people, especially the migrant population, have hope for a more secure and prosperous future.

 – Oisin Downes

Oisin is based in Galway, Ireland and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How South Korea’s Rice Donation Is Supporting Families in Syria

South Korea's Rice DonationSouth Korea has donated 2,400 tons of rice to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to support food-insecure families in Syria. The contribution comes as humanitarian agencies continue responding to widespread hunger and economic hardship across the country. Through WFP distribution programs, the rice will help provide meals and nutritional support to vulnerable households, including displaced families and communities struggling with rising food prices.

WFP officials said the donation will strengthen ongoing food assistance operations in Syria, where many households remain dependent on humanitarian aid for daily meals. The partnership also reflects growing international cooperation aimed at addressing hunger in conflict-affected regions.

Why Food Insecurity Remains a Crisis in Syria

Syria continues to face one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies. More than a decade of conflict has damaged infrastructure, disrupted agricultural production and weakened the country’s economy. These challenges have made it harder for families to access affordable food, stable employment and essential public services.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that more than 15 million Syrians still require humanitarian assistance, including food aid, health care and shelter support. Economic instability and inflation have further increased pressure on households already dealing with displacement and poverty.

WFP has also warned that food insecurity remains widespread across Syria, with many families reducing meal sizes or skipping meals entirely due to high food costs. Humanitarian agencies say vulnerable households are often forced to make difficult financial choices between food, medicine and other necessities. Despite these ongoing challenges, international food assistance programs continue providing support to communities facing the greatest need.

How the Rice Donation Will Support Families

South Korea’s rice donation will be distributed through the WFP-established humanitarian network inside Syria. WFP operates large-scale food assistance programs designed to reach communities affected by poverty, displacement and supply shortages. Using existing distribution systems enables aid organizations to deliver support to vulnerable populations more efficiently.

Humanitarian experts say staple foods such as rice are especially valuable during emergencies because they provide reliable nutrition and can support families when local markets become unstable or unaffordable. Food assistance programs also help reduce immediate pressure on households struggling to secure regular meals. For many Syrian families, receiving food aid can also create financial breathing room. 

When households spend less on food, they may be able to redirect their limited income toward school expenses, transportation, medical costs or housing costs. Relief organizations say this type of support can help families maintain stability during prolonged crises. Humanitarian assistance programs are also important for protecting children and vulnerable populations from worsening malnutrition and poverty.

Supporting Long-Term Recovery Efforts

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reported that Syria’s agricultural sector continues to face major setbacks, including damaged irrigation systems, shortages of farming supplies and reduced crop production. These conditions have slowed local recovery efforts and increased dependence on international humanitarian assistance. Food aid alone cannot fully resolve Syria’s economic and humanitarian challenges, but it can help stabilize communities while recovery efforts continue.

Humanitarian organizations say emergency food support works best when combined with programs focused on rebuilding agriculture, restoring livelihoods and improving local food production.

Global Cooperation Remains Essential

South Korea’s rice donation to Syria reflects the broader role international partnerships play in addressing global hunger. Organizations such as WFP rely heavily on support from governments and humanitarian donors to maintain food assistance operations in crisis-affected regions. As humanitarian needs persist across Syria, global cooperation remains essential to help relief agencies deliver consistent support to vulnerable communities. 

Aid officials say donations like this provide practical, immediate assistance while helping families navigate difficult economic conditions and ongoing uncertainty.

They also emphasize that continued international support can help prevent worsening food insecurity in already fragile communities. Reliable food assistance programs provide families with regular meals while enabling humanitarian organizations to respond more quickly during emergencies. 

In Syria, where many households continue rebuilding after years of instability, international aid remains an important source of relief and support for millions of people facing daily economic challenges.

– Angela “Phoenix” Garrett

Angela is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Picryl

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Everything To Know About Hunger in Jordan

Hunger in JordanFor thousands of families across Jordan, putting food on the table has become an increasing daily struggle. Rising food prices and economic hardship continue to push vulnerable communities toward food insecurity as inflation and regional instability place pressure across the country. While Jordan has made progress in education and health care hunger remains a serious challenge for low-income families, refugees and children. Everything to know about hunger in Jordan begins with understanding how economic hardship and displacement continue to increase demand for humanitarian aid across the country.

According to the World Food Programme (WFP), nearly 3 million people in Jordan have required humanitarian assistance since 2024. The country also hosts the second-largest number of refugees per capita worldwide. According to the WFP, around 77% of these refugees face food insecurity in Jordan. Refugees from Syria, Iraq and Palestine continue to increase pressure on food systems and public services. Rising food prices have also made basic necessities harder to afford for Jordanian families living below the poverty line.

Why Hunger in Jordan Continues

Several economic and environmental factors contribute to rising hunger in Jordan. Jordan ranks among the world’s most water-scarce countries in the world which limits agricultural production and increases dependence on imported food. The World Bank reported that food inflation and unemployment have especially affected young people and low-income households in recent years.

The Syrian refugee population in Jordan especially faces severe food insecurity. Jordan hosts more than 427,000 registered Syrian refugees, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Many refugee families struggle to secure stable employment and thus rely on food aid to survive.

Organizations Fighting Hunger on The Ground

Several organizations continue to address hunger in Jordan through food assistance and development programs. The WFP launched one of the country’s largest food assistance programs providing monthly cash-based food support to vulnerable Jordanians and refugees. In 2023 alone the organization assisted more than 1.7 million people in Jordan.

The Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization also works with local and international partners to distribute food parcels and emergency aid across the country. During Ramadan campaigns and emergency response efforts, the organization reaches thousands of families facing food insecurity.

Tikeyet Um Ali has become one of Jordan’s leading anti-hunger nonprofit organizations. Since its founding in 2003, the organization has provided sustainable monthly food support to thousands of families living in extreme poverty. Tikeyet Um Ali also runs awareness campaigns and community programs aimed at reducing hunger nationwide. Everything to know about hunger in Jordan especially includes recognizing the role local nonprofits play in creating long-term support systems for vulnerable families.

Looking Ahead

Although hunger in Jordan remains a major issue humanitarian organizations and local initiatives continue to provide critical support for vulnerable communities. These organizations continue expanding programs that provide emergency meals, nutritional support and financial assistance to vulnerable individuals and unemployed households across Jordan. Increased international aid, stronger economic opportunities and sustainable food programs could help reduce food insecurity in the years ahead. Everything to know about hunger in Jordan points toward one reality: long-term investment and community-based solutions remain essential in the fight against hunger.

– Masa Qasim

Masa is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Updates on SDG 14 in Mauritius

SDG 14 in MauritiusMauritius has an Exclusive Economic Zone of approximately 2.3 million square kilometers, one of the largest maritime territories of any small island state on earth. According to the United Nations, that vast ocean space represents one of the country’s greatest untapped opportunities for food security and poverty reduction. And yet, as the U.N. Development Programme has documented, rising food prices and growing import dependence continue to place significant financial pressure on ordinary Mauritian households.

Updates on SDG 14 in Mauritius sit at the center of that contradiction. Sustainable Development Goal 14, Life Below Water, is not simply an environmental target for the island nation. The U.N. frames it as a direct pathway to economic resilience, local food production and poverty reduction for a country whose ocean territory dwarfs its landmass many times over.

Poverty and Food Insecurity

While extreme poverty remains low in Mauritius, vulnerability remains an important issue in the context of rising food prices and import dependence. According to the IMF, the national relative poverty rate fell to 7.3% in 2023, while the Sustainable Development Report 2025 places the poverty headcount ratio at 0.8% at $2.15 per day and 1.3% at $3.65 per day. At the same time, food insecurity indicators remain concerning: the prevalence of undernourishment was 5.9% in 2022, and other estimates place it as high as 8.7%. These figures are especially significant in a country where rising food prices and seafood affordability continue to place pressure on lower-income households.

Recent estimates indicate that roughly 8.7% of the Mauritian population is undernourished. For a middle-income island economy surrounded by one of the world’s most productive ocean territories, that figure reflects a structural gap rather than a resource one. The food is not absent. The systems to make it accessible and affordable are what need work.

An Island That Imports What Its Ocean Could Provide

As a Small Island Developing State, Mauritius depends heavily on external markets for food supply. The U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) notes that this dependence makes the country particularly vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions, imported inflation and geopolitical instability, forces that Mauritian households have little power to control and even less capacity to absorb.

Fish illustrates the problem clearly. Once one of the most accessible protein sources for Mauritian households, seafood has become noticeably more expensive in recent years. Official food security data show that the price of frozen fish peaked at Rs 327 in February 2023 and remained high at Rs 321 in May 2024. For lower-income families, this price pressure has narrowed dietary choices and deepened food inequality, despite the island being surrounded by vast marine resources that remain underutilized.

The Delivery Gap

Mauritius has made genuine legislative progress aligned with SDG 14 objectives. Two pieces of that framework are worth examining in detail because they illustrate both how far the country has come and how much distance remains.

Mauritius’s environmental governance framework is primarily anchored in the Environment Protection Act 2002, later strengthened through amendments in 2008, which extends environmental stewardship and pollution-control standards across the island’s coastal and marine zones. According to the Nairobi Convention’s country profile on Mauritius, the Act establishes environmental impact assessment requirements for coastal development projects, a mechanism designed to reduce shoreline degradation and protect marine biodiversity and fishing stocks over time.

The Integrated Coastal Zone Management framework provides the institutional structure for coordinating the management of Mauritius’s lagoons, coral reefs and coastal ecosystems across multiple government agencies. According to the Nairobi Convention’s Mauritius country profile and related regional assessments, it has supported beach rehabilitation, habitat mapping, water-quality monitoring and coral reef restoration. While the policy framework is clearly in place, implementation and ecological outcomes continue to vary across coastal zones, reflecting the long-term nature of restoration and the uneven pressures faced by different parts of the island.

The Data Behind the Urgency

The Sustainable Development Report 2025 places Mauritius 76th out of 167 countries with an overall SDG score of 70.3, a performance that reflects moderate progress on some goals and persistent challenges on others. SDG 14 sits firmly in the second category.

According to the SDG Index Dashboard for Mauritius, only 11.1% of marine sites important to biodiversity were protected in 2023. The same dataset recorded an Ocean Health Index clean water score of 68.7 in 2024, pointing to ongoing environmental pressures on the island’s marine ecosystem. Most strikingly, 71.9% of fish caught came from overexploited or collapsed stocks, a figure that directly links marine degradation to food security, livelihoods and poverty reduction, rather than framing it solely as an environmental issue.

When nearly three-quarters of the national fish catch draws from stocks already under severe pressure, updates on SDG 14 in Mauritius become less about environmental reporting and more about understanding a food security risk that is actively developing.

An Organization Closing the Gap

The Indian Ocean Commission’s SmartFish Programme offers a concrete example of what meaningful SDG 14 implementation can look like in practice. Launched in 2011, the regional initiative operates across Indian Ocean island states, including Mauritius, with a focus on strengthening fisheries governance, improving market access for small-scale fishers and building the data systems needed to monitor fish stock health over time. In doing so, it connects marine sustainability directly to livelihoods, food security and poverty reduction.

According to regional fisheries governance sources, SmartFish supports fishermen, coastal communities and food security outcomes across the region. For Mauritius, this helps transform marine resources into systems that support local food production, employment and poverty reduction.

Beyond institutional programs, the blue economy offers significant potential through aquaculture, algae cultivation, oyster farming and marine-based small enterprises. World Bank assessments identify these sectors as drivers of employment, lower seafood import dependence and improved food affordability.

What the Numbers Mean for the People

Updates on SDG 14 in Mauritius ultimately tell a story about the distance between a country’s resources and its population’s access to them. According to the SDG Index Dashboard, 71.9% of fish catch is linked to overexploited or collapsed stocks. That figure is not an abstraction, it is a timeline. Every year, that number holds or worsens, the foundation for domestic food production, fishing livelihoods and food affordability erodes a little further.

The U.N. SDG framework, regional fisheries programs such as SmartFish and Mauritius’s own legislative infrastructure all point in the same direction. Deeper investment in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and marine-based enterprise, combined with stronger implementation of existing policy, represents one of the most direct paths available to Mauritius for narrowing the gap between its ocean wealth and persistent food vulnerability among lower-income households. The challenge now is turning existing frameworks into measurable results.

– Aditya-R Nowbuth

Adutya-Raj is based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Food Insecurity in Nigeria and Okra’s Value

Food Insecurity in NigeriaFood insecurity in Nigeria affects an estimated 35 million people, including 17 million children facing malnutrition. This marks one of the most severe hunger crises in Africa and places Nigeria among the countries with the highest global burden of hunger. Political conflict and climate-related shocks, including drought, have only exacerbated the crisis, making it difficult to cultivate certain foods.

Okra

One food that is heavily relied on in Nigeria is okra. Sometimes called “lady’s finger,” it is native to Africa and is used in many Nigerian cultural dishes. “Of what I have seen in West Africa, okra is most commonly found in the home garden or closer horticultural patches that are managed rather than large-scale cereal production systems, though it can be intercropped,” says Laurajean Lewis, the global director of genetic resources at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in Mexico, in an interview with The Borgen Project.

“Okra is not a cereal. It is typically eaten green and you are generally harvesting the seed pods. Sometimes they are cut up and dried, then reconstituted later. They’re from the same plant family as hibiscus, just different species. The flowers of okra are harvested for tea,” Lewis shared.

How Better Okra Breeding Could Boost Nigerian Farmers

The African Vegetable Breeding Consortium (AVBC) is working with farmers in West Africa to explore how okra can be better positioned for the market. Okra is already highly valued in West African markets for its role in regional cuisine, but expanding its potential could increase its global appeal. The AVBC also supports vegetable breeding and crossbreeding different okra varieties could further strengthen the crop’s market potential.

Despite serving as an important source of nutrition for many people, okra has far less monetary value than traditional cash crops such as corn, rice and wheat. However, some scientists are working to improve okra’s marketability by focusing on one of its most distinctive traits: its sliminess. When cooked, okra produces mucilage, which is made primarily of pectin, a substance found in the cell walls of fruits and vegetables. 

Pectin is commonly used as a thickener and stabilizer in food processing, as well as a dissolvable additive in pharmaceuticals that target the colon. Globally, pectin is highly valuable and is typically extracted from citrus peels such as oranges and lemons. Researchers suggest that okra could serve as an alternative source of pectin, particularly in West Africa, where it is widely grown and used. 

This could be especially relevant for regional chocolate production, as Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire produce more than half of the world’s cocoa. Reducing reliance on imported pectin could help lower costs and improve supply efficiency for manufacturers in the region.

Final Remarks

Food insecurity in Nigeria remains a persistent challenge. However, with support from AVBC, okra has the potential to evolve from a subsistence crop into a viable cash crop that can support local farmers.

– Eddie Hofmann

Eddie is based in Seattle, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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How Humanitarian Aid in Cuba Is Keeping the Lights On

Humanitarian Aid in cubaIn the last two weeks, Cuba has experienced two major blackout events, leaving nearly all 11 million residents without power. An aging power grid, coupled with disruptions in global oil trading, has left the country’s power supply faltering. 

Cuba’s Power Grid Failures

Blackouts are not a new phenomenon for most Cubans; they have become accustomed to rolling power outages. The power grid infrastructure has been relied on far longer than intended. Many businesses have had to invest in solar panels to avoid losing power midday, rather than relying on the electrical grid. Over the last few years, this problem has been exacerbated, forcing citizens to adapt to living off-grid.

Day Zero 

Despite these difficulties, life for Cubans has recently worsened. Earlier this year, Venezuela ceased sending oil to Cuba, causing massive shocks to the country’s power system. Nearly half of Cuba’s oil needs were previously supplied by Venezuela. This gap in power production has left Cuba effectively running out of fuel, creating the conditions for an island-wide blackout.

Unlike blackouts of the past, the entire island, aside from those with solar panels or generators, was without power for over a day. The Cuban national news network was even down for 1.5 hours, citing the blackout as the cause. Coupled with these problems is the loss of oil trade with Mexico, which has also halted shipments to Cuba.

Food Insecurity

The aging electrical grid and the massive oil shortage in Cuba have created a dire situation for many citizens. The United Nations (U.N.) warned that the country could be on the verge of a humanitarian collapse. Refrigerators have not been much help over the last two weeks, as they have remained shut off, leading to food spoilage.

Some Cubans have resorted to buying food daily to prevent spoilage. Government officials have encouraged citizens to conserve food, fuel, water and even phone batteries. Hospitals can operate for only two to five hours during this energy crisis.

In response to the bleak situation, Cubans have protested by gathering in the streets of central Havana, the country’s capital and banging pots and pans.

Flotilla Provides Necessary Humanitarian Aid in Cuba

Nonetheless, hope arrives at the ports in the form of aid-bearing flotillas providing humanitarian aid to Cuba. The Nuestra America Convoy to Cuba (NAAC), an “international coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to delivering critical aid to the Cuban people,” launched on March 21, 2026. The NAAC brought food, medical supplies and solar panels to help Cubans cope without their electrical grid.

Individual countries have also sent aid, with Canada pledging $8 million in food aid to Cuba. Another North American contributor, Mexico, has already sent more than 1,000 tonnes of food aid in the last two weeks. Chile, China and Italy have also pledged support. These efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Cuba play a major role in preventing the situation from becoming even more critical than it already is.

Conclusion 

With an aging power grid and the failure of multiple oil trade agreements, Cuba has suffered. Two island-wide blackouts have occurred in the last two weeks, along with daily power outages nationwide. These problems can be addressed through long-term investment in energy infrastructure and diplomatic trade discussions. 

However, humanitarian aid to Cuba is helping citizens caught in the crisis. Envoys from around the world have descended on the country, bringing the supplies Cubans lack.

– Zaccheri Morra

Zaccheri is based in Tallahassee, FL, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Amaranth and Food Insecurity in Nigeria

Food Insecurity in NigeriaNigeria is a country in West Africa currently experiencing a hunger crisis. An estimated 35 million people are living with acute food insecurity, and 4.8 million require immediate nutritional assistance. Ensuring people in Nigeria are fed is one of the most important ways to address poverty in rural communities.

One of the crops used to combat food insecurity is frequently grown in Nigeria but rarely planted. Amaranth is common throughout the hot and humid regions of Nigeria and is often maintained rather than sown. It grows naturally throughout the countryside, and deliberately planted varieties are often found in gathering spaces where many people in the community can benefit from them.

The Benefits of Amaranth

When the rainy season begins, amaranth flourishes and grows quickly. After about three to five weeks, the leaves can be harvested and eaten or sold. It is a stable yield crop, meaning that while yields may not be large, it will almost always provide some yield, regardless of drought or pests.

According to Laurajean Lewis, the global director of genetic resources at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Mexico, amaranth is one of the few plants that grows almost everywhere in the world. Lewis explained that because farmers harvest the leaves rather than the seeds, the plant reseeds itself, and seeds can also be collected and replanted in new areas.

Amaranth is a resilient plant and is important for nutrition in Nigeria. In some places, it accounts for up to 25% of Nigerians’ daily protein intake. Sometimes referred to as a nutritional powerhouse by scientists, it also contains high levels of folic acid and calcium, which are important for pregnant or lactating women.

Barriers to Cultivation

The general outlook on amaranth is negative. It is seen as a poverty staple, and in some places it is considered acceptable only for feeding livestock. One variety is called pigweed because of the belief that it is only suitable for pigs. Despite this perception, it is widely eaten and sometimes intercropped with high-yielding crops such as corn. Its leaves are often boiled and eaten like spinach, with a mild flavor said to resemble artichoke. It also produces edible seeds, making the plant dual-purpose for many. The seeds can be ground into a flour that is well-suited for baby food and is important for childhood development.

Improving Food Insecurity in Nigeria

Amaranth is seen as a poverty food in West Africa, and especially in Nigeria, but it plays an important role in supporting rural communities and providing essential vitamins and minerals to many. It also offers nutritional support for vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant women and older adults. As food insecurity continues to affect millions of Nigerians, amaranth remains a practical and culturally significant tool in the fight against hunger and rural poverty.

– Eddie Hofmann

Eddie is based in Seattle, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Everything To Know About Hunger in Indonesia

Hunger in IndonesiaIndonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest economy and the world’s fourth most populous country, with more than 270 million people living across more than 17,000 islands. Despite this economic strength, the country continues to face serious challenges related to food insecurity. As an upper-middle-income nation, Indonesia has achieved significant growth, yet millions of Indonesians still struggle to access sufficient and nutritious food. More than 23 million people lack reliable access to proper nutrition, and over 20% of children experience stunted growth due to malnutrition. Addressing hunger in Indonesia is therefore essential for protecting public health and ensuring a more secure future for the next generation.

The Current State of Hunger in Indonesia

Indonesia has made significant progress in reducing hunger over the past two decades. World Bank data shows that the prevalence of undernourishment dropped from around 18% in the early 2000s to about 6% by 2018. However, this improvement has slowed in recent years, and slight increases suggest that food insecurity continues to challenge the country.

Child nutrition has also improved, but serious concerns persist. UNICEF reports that the stunting rate among Indonesian children declined from 37.2% in 2013 to 21.5% in 2023. At the same time, the wasting rate has risen slightly, reaching 8.5% in 2023, highlighting the continued vulnerability of many children to malnutrition.

Food insecurity does not affect all regions equally. Official BPS statistics show that undernourishment rates are significantly higher in eastern provinces such as Papua Selatan compared to more developed areas like Java. This reflects the strong rural–urban divide in access to food and nutrition.

Despite overall progress, recent global and economic pressures have affected food security. Rising food prices and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have made healthy diets increasingly unaffordable for many households, particularly low-income families. These trends indicate that while Indonesia has advanced in the fight against hunger, sustained action remains essential.

What Is Causing Hunger in Indonesia?

A combination of economic and structural factors drive hunger in Indonesia. Although the country has experienced steady economic growth, poverty and inequality continue to limit access to nutritious food for many low-income households.

Rising food prices have also increased food insecurity. According to the FAO’s State of Food Security and Nutrition report, about 43.5% of Indonesians cannot afford a healthy diet, highlighting the economic barriers many families face in accessing nutritious food.

Geography is another key factor shaping hunger in Indonesia. As a country spread across thousands of islands, access to food varies greatly from region to region. In many rural and eastern areas, limited infrastructure and long distances make it harder to obtain affordable staples such as rice and fresh fish, which are central to the Indonesian diet. When transportation is difficult and markets are far away, even basic foods become more expensive and less accessible, increasing the risk of food insecurity.

In addition, climate shocks also threaten food production. Floods, droughts and other extreme weather events regularly disrupt agriculture in Indonesia, affecting crop yields and food supply in vulnerable regions.

Local Realities Behind the Statistics

During a visit to Lombok Island, several women told The Borgen Project they earned their income by selling handmade bracelets to tourists. They explained that most of their earnings were used to buy food for their children. One woman shared that her goal was to purchase a small corn field to ensure her children would not go hungry and could continue their education.

Solutions

Indonesia has expanded social protection programs to address food insecurity. Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH), the country’s largest conditional cash transfer initiative, provides financial support to poor households with children and pregnant women. Over the past decade, the program has expanded significantly and now reaches approximately 10 million beneficiary families across Indonesia. These cash transfers help vulnerable households afford food, health care and education, contributing to improved nutrition and poverty reduction.

The World Food Programme (WFP) works with the Indonesian government to strengthen national food security and nutrition systems. Under the World Food Programme Indonesia Country Strategic Plan 2026–2030, WFP provides technical assistance and policy support for the government’s Free Nutritious Meals Programme. The initiative aims to reach more than 80 million people by 2029, helping expand access to nutritious meals while strengthening national food systems and disaster preparedness.

UNICEF also supports Indonesia’s National Nutrition Programme, which focuses on improving nutrition outcomes across the life course. The programme strengthens services for pregnant women, infants and young children while supporting national efforts to address stunting and other forms of malnutrition. A recent UNICEF review of Indonesia’s nutrition programmes highlights progress in improving nutrition systems, while also identifying remaining gaps in implementation and access to services in some regions.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) also works with Indonesian partners to advance the global goal of Zero Hunger by 2030. Through initiatives such as the “Road to Zero Hunger” campaign launched in Bandung, FAO collaborates with government institutions, universities and civil society to raise awareness about food security and nutrition challenges. The campaign promotes stronger food systems, sustainable agricultural practices and greater public engagement in addressing hunger and malnutrition across the country.

Looking Ahead

Although hunger in Indonesia has declined over the past two decades, inequality, geographic barriers and rising food costs continue to limit access to nutritious food for millions. Expanding social protection programs, strengthening nutrition services and investing in resilient food systems remain essential to ensure progress reaches the most vulnerable communities. Sustained commitment to these efforts will be critical for improving public health and securing long-term food security across the country.

– Elif Oktar

Elif is based in London, UK  and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Elif Oktar

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Smallholder Farmers in India: How Unilever Reduces Poverty

Smallholder Farmers in IndiaIn India, hunger and malnutrition are a cause for concern. With such a large population, it is a country with one of the highest levels of food production yet also one of the worst food crises. About 224.3 million people are experiencing food insecurity, inevitably leading to a higher risk of diseases such as malnutrition and anemia.

While India’s mortality rate from hunger and disease is statistically declining, the country still records the highest number of deaths from these causes.

The Influence of Smallholder Farmers 

Although smallholder farmers account for a large share of India’s food production, numerous challenges restrict their ability to maximize output. There is very little support for improving farming practices among smallholder farmers in India. They have very little access to the necessities for growing crops: quality seeds, fertilizers and irrigation. 

Many of India’s smallholder farmers are living in poverty, earning less than $2.15 a day. Regardless, they still face pressure to feed those in poverty while also navigating their own obstacles. In response, Unilever is creating partnerships, prioritizing investment in smallholder farmers and creating a lasting impact. 

Tea Farmers in India

Tea farmers face various obstacles across India. A decline in tea prices has led to financial instability for workers and their livelihoods. Small tea growers depend on Bought Leaf Factories (BLFs) to sell their leaves immediately after plucking. These BLFs, which account for 54% of total tea production, prioritize quantity over quality. 

Much of the tea is sold while still of low quality. As a result, the price at which tea is purchased also decreases. To address this, since 2013, Unilever has supported smallholder tea farmers in India in producing high-quality, climate-resilient crops. 

This is critical as stronger crop yields that withstand climate impacts lead to higher tea sales, increasing income and improving financial stability for smallholder farmers in India. The organization helps between 7,000 and 10,000 Indian tea farmers each year.

Coffee Farming in India

Coffee has been a major part of India’s agricultural industry since the 1600s. However, the coffee farming industry in India is facing diseases and pests that are affecting coffee yields. With additional days of heat harming crop development, yields have declined and bean quality has decreased.

As coffee production is important to India’s economic value and overall financial stability, Unilever is teaching smallholder farmers in India regenerative agriculture practices. These include using natural fertilizers, conserving water and intercropping. Unilever is also investing in changing social norms by improving women’s livelihoods, offering them field-facilitator positions and creating livelihood programs. By 2027, Unilever aspires to support 50,000 coffee farmers.

Final Remarks

As a sustainable company, Unilever plans to create stable, long-lasting farms in India, leading to long-term improvements in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and reducing overall poverty. Smallholder farmers will receive higher incomes, creating a more stable living environment. 

– Freya Bryers 

Freya is based in Surrey, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project. 

Photo: Flickr

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Seeds of Sustainability: Reducing Food Insecurity in Bolivia

Planting Seeds of Sustainability: Reducing Food Insecurity in Bolivia Landlocked in South America, Bolivia has a population of about 12.5 million. It is considered one of the most food-insecure countries in South America. According to the World Food Program (WFP) USA, 16% of Bolivian children under 5 years old are malnourished due to food insecurity.

One of the biggest factors affecting food insecurity in Bolivia is extreme weather conditions. The country faces recurring droughts and floods that heavily impact its agricultural sector. One organization, Fundación Patiño, demonstrates that reducing food insecurity across the country can be addressed through practical solutions.

Fundación Patiño

Fundación Patiño, established in 1931, aims to make a lasting impact by providing young Bolivians with the tools to build stronger and safer communities. In addition to providing direct care for more than 2,000 malnourished children each year, it also carries out projects and initiatives in education, agroecology, pediatric health and culture to address challenges that hinder progress.

Agroecology is a discipline that combines science and society to implement farming techniques that are sustainable and resilient. Fundación Patiño has undertaken multiple projects to promote and apply these techniques, including the Cochuna Project, its haciendas and the agroecology farm and seed center in Pairumani.

Education and the Cochuna Project

In the mountains of the Yungas region, a remote location, Fundación Patiño built and maintains a boarding school. Now accessible to small, isolated communities, teenagers in the region can continue their general education while deepening their farming and agricultural knowledge to develop sustainable practices for the future. The school currently hosts and educates 120 teenagers.

The Haciendas

The two haciendas located in Pairumani and Santa Cruz consist of large agricultural estates that serve as open-air laboratories combining science, society and pedagogy. Their focus is to promote economic independence by training farmers and researchers in sustainable techniques through hands-on practice and experimentation.

Each year, they organize “Field Days,” where community members are invited to learn about agricultural developments taking place. The foundation estimates that seeds improved through experimentation at the haciendas have benefited more than 10,000 farmers.

Food Sovereignty and the Seed Center

Fundación Patiño also runs an initiative that preserves and nurtures local seed varieties in its seed center located in Pairumani. This directly addresses food insecurity in Bolivia, as these local seeds are suited to Andean ecosystems. As a result, they are more resilient to weather conditions such as droughts and floods that affect Bolivia’s agricultural sector.

By prioritizing local and indigenous seed varieties over imported or hybrid ones, the seed center supports food sovereignty in Bolivia. Communities rely less on expensive imported foods when they can grow, sustain and sell their own produce.

In addition to strengthening food autonomy, training farmers to grow crops using techniques that reduce vulnerability to climate shocks supports local economic activity. Surplus food can be sold in markets and potentially exported.

Fundación Patiño’s model is designed to be replicable. Its initiatives have benefited more than 50,000 individuals, contributing to efforts to reduce food insecurity in Bolivia by promoting food sovereignty through education and community engagement.

– Brittany Buscio

Brittany is based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr