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Everything To Know About Hunger in Rwanda

Hunger in RwandaDespite significant development progress over the past decades, hunger in Rwanda remains an ongoing challenge, affecting millions of people and posing a major obstacle to the country’s economic and social growth. Structural barriers, such as changing weather patterns, continue to undermine long-term food security for vulnerable households.

The State of Food Security in Rwanda

Rwanda has made notable progress in reducing hunger, however food insecurity continues to affect a significant portion of its population. According to data obtained in 2022, food insecurity remains a reality for approximately 20.6% of the population, with the majority experiencing moderate levels of insecurity. In 2024, the overall Dietary Energy Supply gradually increased by 1.7%, indicating some “improvement in national food energy availability.” Currently, 32.4% of children under the age of five suffer from chronic malnutrition.

Root Causes of Hunger

Hunger in Rwanda is driven by a complex combination of environmental and economic factors:

  • Climate and Environmental Shocks: Rwanda’s tropical climate and hilly terrain make it vulnerable to droughts, flood and soil erosion. These events can reduce crop yields, disrupt harvests and increase the risk of food shortages.
  • Inflation and Economic Pressure: In 2023, inflation forced nearly one million households into food insecurity. Price increases for perishable foods mean families must cut back on essentials and/or switch to cheaper, less nutritious options.
  • Limited Dietary Diverse Foods: Many households lack access to “nutritionally diverse diets.” Only 19.5% of young children receive a minimum acceptable diet, contributing to persistent malnutrition.
  • Population Density and Growth: Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, and its rapidly growing population increases pressure on the country’s limited land and resources.

Who Is Most Affected?

Rural populations, women and children are disproportionately affected by food insecurity. Children under the age of five are increasingly vulnerable to chronic malnutrition, which may chronically impact physical and cognitive development.

According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, refugees fleeing Rwanda’s neighboring countries also face acute food insecurity. Limited access to land and employment opportunities around refugee camps leads many to heavily depend on humanitarian food assistance. However, due to a lack of funding, refugees are at a greater risk of nutritional deficiencies.

Government and Policy Responses

The Rwandan government has invested in programs and policies to strengthen food security and agricultural production, including:

  • World Food Day: World Food Day is a celebration which highlights community efforts to boost production, support vulnerable families and improve nutrition.
  • Seeds and Fertilizer Distribution: Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources aims to increase the production of rice and potatoes, targets 63,570 tonnes of fertilizer and registers two million farmers for subsidized inputs in 2026.
  • Girinka (One Cow per Family): Girinka is a program which gives cows to families, “improving nutrition through milk consumption and creating income-generating opportunities.” Since 2006, it has distributed 467,984 cows to households.

International Support and Challenges

By supporting refugees, assisting vulnerable rural communities and working with farmers, international partners like the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) play a crucial role in addressing hunger in Rwanda by providing “specialized nutritious food, for the prevention and treatment of malnutrition, to vulnerable groups.” However, funding gaps and global crises have strained humanitarian assistance, leading to ration cuts for refugee camps.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

As aligned with Sustainable Development Target 2, Rwanda has seen measurable successes regarding access to food, but progress remains uneven as the changing climate, inflation and demographic trends continue to pose significant risks. According to the WFP, to sustain gains and close the gap, it is critical to boost agricultural activity, invest in infrastructure and improve nutrition education. 

Sustained investment, enhanced regional cooperation and targeted programs could help build a more food-secure Rwanda. Community leaders and international partners must continue collaborating to ensure that everyone in Rwanda, citizens and refugees, have access to enough nutritious food that supports long-term health.

– Sara Aboulela

Sara is based in Toronto, Canada and focuses on Celebs and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Impact of Technology on World Hunger

World Hunger
Food scarcity remains a critical global issue and a barrier to eradicating world hunger, affecting millions of people. As the world population grows, traditional methods of food production and distribution face immense pressure. Fortunately, technological advancements offer powerful, innovative solutions to combat hunger. By improving agricultural practices, optimizing supply chains and empowering local communities, technology provides hope for a future free from hunger. This article explores the significant ways technology is making a difference in the global fight for food security.

Technology Improves Crop Yields and Resilience

Modern agricultural technology, known as AgTech, is a critical weapon in the fight against world hunger. By directly addressing food production challenges, these innovations are empowering farmers to produce more food sustainably for a growing population. Farmers can leverage digital agriculture tools, such as GPS-guided tractors, drones and soil sensors, to manage fields with remarkable accuracy, applying water, fertilizers and pesticides only where needed. For example, according to OnFarm, an AgTech resource such as IoT helps to generate 4 million crop-related data points each day to prevent future crop loss. This precise application conserves vital resources, minimizes environmental impact and maximizes output from every acre, directly contributing to feeding more people and securing food supplies.

Drones offer aerial views of crop health, allowing farmers to proactively identify and mitigate problems such as pests or nutrient deficiencies before they devastate harvests. Furthermore, breakthroughs in biotechnology have led to the development of crops specifically engineered for resilience against drought, pests and disease. These robust crops ensure more stable and abundant harvests, even in the face of unpredictable climates, providing a vital safeguard against famine and food shortages in vulnerable communities.

Technology Reduces Food Waste in Supply Chains

A significant portion of the world’s food is lost or wasted between the farm and the consumer. Technology offers effective solutions to make supply chains more efficient and reduce this loss. Innovations in food preservation, such as advanced packaging and processing techniques, play a crucial role. For example, lyophilization, or freeze drying, reduces food scarcity by keeping food fresh for longer periods. Additionally, blockchain technology provides transparent and traceable supply chains, allowing businesses to monitor food from its origin to the store shelf. This transparency helps identify weak points where food loss occurs and ensures accountability. Smart logistics platforms use data analytics to optimize transportation routes and storage conditions, further minimizing spoilage and ensuring that more food reaches those in need.

Technology Empowers Small-Scale Farmers

Small-scale farmers produce one third of the world’s food, yet many lack access to vital information and resources. Mobile phone technology is bridging this gap. Through simple text messages or dedicated smartphone apps, farmers can receive real-time weather forecasts, current market prices, and expert agricultural advice. This information empowers them to make informed decisions, such as when to plant, harvest or sell their crops. Mobile phone banking platforms also provide access to financial services, enabling farmers to secure loans for better seeds and equipment. By connecting smallholders to larger markets and critical data, technology helps increase their productivity and income, strengthening local food systems and building economic resilience.

Build a Hunger-Free Future

Technology is not a single solution, but a powerful collection of tools that can fundamentally change how we produce, distribute, and access food. From the fields where crops grow to the supply chains that deliver them, innovation is driving efficiency, reducing waste and empowering communities. By supporting and scaling these technological solutions, the world can create a more sustainable and equitable food system for everyone. Every person’s support for organizations that implement these technologies can help accelerate this progress. Together, people can harness the power of innovation to end world hunger.

– Kelly Schoessling

Photo: Unsplash

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The Impact of Soil Degradation on Global Poverty

Soil Degradation
Healthy soil is at the heart of the food system, yet its decline is putting billions of lives at risk. For communities that rely on agriculture, fertile land is not just valuable; it’s essential. The impact of soil degradation on global poverty often goes unnoticed, but it impacts food security, economic stability and well-being worldwide. As soil loses nutrients and structure, harvests shrink and the cycle of poverty grows stronger.

How Soil Health Ties to Economic Stability

When land loses its vitality, rural livelihoods face immediate danger. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that about 1.7 billion people live in regions where crop yields are falling because of human-driven land degradation. This loss in productivity means families must choose between putting food on the table and paying for essentials like health care or education.

Smallholder farmers depend on healthy soil for their income, nutrition and resilience. Degraded land produces fewer crops, making it even tougher to break free from poverty. The strain can push entire communities toward unsustainable land use or risky ways of making a living, creating even greater challenges over time.

What Makes Data-Driven Farming Effective?

There is hope, though. Proven solutions exist to help communities turn things around. Sustainable land management practices can bring soil back to life and improve crop yields, helping families find a way out of poverty. These efforts focus on restoring fertility, stopping erosion and protecting the diversity that keeps soil healthy.

A key strategy involves thorough soil testing. When farmers know the exact makeup of their soil, they can spot nutrient gaps that hold back growth. With this information, they can make better choices about fertilizers or which crops to plant next. Soil sampling can reveal critical insights about what is missing beneath the surface, giving farmers the confidence to put resources where they matter most and boost productivity.

Which Actions Help Restore Vital Soil?

Communities, organizations and governments have found several effective ways to improve soil health.

  • Agroforestry: Growing trees together with crops helps prevent soil erosion and improves water retention.
  • Cover Cropping: Planting cover crops between main harvests shields soil and adds much-needed organic matter.
  • Conservation Tillage: Disturbing the ground less keeps its helpful microbes and structure intact.
  • Crop Rotation: Changing up crops between seasons puts nutrients back into the soil and keeps pests in check.

As these practices take hold, they help communities build resilience to climate change and shape brighter economic futures. Solving the impact of soil degradation on global poverty is not only an environmental goal—it is a vital step toward a more equitable and food-secure world.

– Kelly Schoessling

Photo: Flickr

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Agriculture and Nutrition Aid: Improving Food Security in Guatemala

Food Security in GuatemalaGuatemala faces one of the most severe and persistent food security crises in Latin America. Despite being a country rich in agricultural resources, Guatemala faces structural inequality, recurrent droughts and economic shocks, which have kept nearly half of its population in poverty. The COVID‑19 pandemic and the 2022 global food and fuel price shocks deepened the crisis, pushing additional households into food insecurity.

In 2022, nearly half of children under 5, about 46.5 %, were stunted, making Guatemala one of the worst in the Western Hemisphere in terms of child undernutrition. To address this humanitarian emergency, a series of agriculture and nutrition-based initiatives launched by the Guatemalan government, the United Nations (U.N.) and international partners have sought to rebuild livelihoods and reduce hunger through sustainable rural development.

Poverty and Food Insecurity

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and humanitarian monitoring sources, more than five million people (above 25% of the population) require humanitarian assistance in Guatemala. Around 2.7 million face severe acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or worse). Guatemala’s food insecurity is deeply intertwined with rural poverty.

The majority of impoverished households live in rural and Indigenous communities, where subsistence farming is the main livelihood. Limited access to credit, irrigation and markets keeps smallholder farmers vulnerable to climate shocks. The Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) recent report highlights how vulnerable communities face multiple deprivations, including low incomes, limited access to value chains and a high risk of climate-related impacts.

An analysis by the World Bank highlights that economic growth has not been sufficiently translated into poverty reduction or improved livelihoods for the most vulnerable populations.

Building Food Security Through Agriculture and Nutrition Aid

One of the most impactful interventions since 2022 has been the Home‑Grown School Feeding Program, led by WFP in partnership with Guatemala’s Ministry of Education and local farmer cooperatives. This initiative connects smallholder farmers directly with schools to supply nutritious food, ensuring that children receive regular meals while farmers gain reliable buyers. The program connects more than 500 farmers and 840 schools through a mobile procurement application, enabling farmers to browse school orders and deliver locally produced food.

According to WFP monitoring, the program improves children’s dietary diversity and supports rural incomes. In parallel, FAO, through its “Hand-in-Hand” initiative and other resilience programs, has been scaling up efforts to strengthen food production among vulnerable households. The FAO study notes that climate-smart practices, improved seeds and market integration are essential components of the solution.

The FAO also monitors agriculture livelihood-recovery projects that aim to boost both food security and incomes for rural families. The World Bank emphasizes that investment in human capital, agriculture and rural development is critical to addressing long-standing inequalities and food insecurity.

Continuing Challenges

Despite these encouraging results, Guatemala’s path toward food security remains fragile. Hundreds of thousands of children continue to face stunting and rural poverty remains entrenched among Indigenous and highland populations. The WFP country brief notes that Guatemala is disaster-prone and extended dry seasons and climate shocks severely damage the livelihoods of subsistence farmers.

Scaling successful programs nationally is limited by funding constraints, infrastructure gaps and institutional capacity. Without sustained investment in rural infrastructure, market access and social protection, localized gains risk being reversed by future shocks.

Conclusion

The past few years have shown that agriculture and nutrition-based aid can make a tangible difference in improving food security in Guatemala. Indeed, by linking local farmers to school-feeding programs, investing in climate-smart agriculture and focusing on vulnerable rural communities, the country and its partners have taken meaningful steps toward reducing hunger and poverty. While national statistics remain daunting, with child stunting at nearly half of all children under 5, widespread rural poverty and persistent acute food-security need, the evidence indicates that targeted interventions can improve outcomes.

With continued investment, expansion of proven models and stronger institutional capacity, Guatemala has the potential to transform its food system from fragile to resilient, making inclusive agricultural development a cornerstone of poverty reduction.

– Akash Ramaswamy

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

Photo: Flickr

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Africa’s Leadership in the High Seas Treaty: Securing Food Futures

HIGH SEAS TREATYIn September 2025, the High Seas Treaty, officially termed the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), achieved the threshold required for entry into force, a pivotal milestone in protecting the world’s oceans and strengthening Africa’s role in global ocean governance.

The treaty introduces the first global, legally binding framework to conserve marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Although global attention centers on the treaty’s environmental impact, Africa highlights a human dimension safeguarding livelihoods, food and survival for millions of individuals who depend on the sea. This moment also cements Africa’s role in global ocean governance, showing how the continent aligns environmental governance with development goals.

Oceans and Africa’s Fight for Food Security

In many African nations, the ocean forms the backbone for daily survival, feeding families and supporting trade and employment. For Africa, protecting the oceans is directly linked to protecting people’s jobs and food sources. A World Bank report highlighted the key contribution of fisheries to food availability across the continent: “The sector presents a key social safety net… on average, fish and fish products account for 18% of animal protein intake by African consumers, and the sector provides employment to over 12 million people.” Greenpeace Africa noted that “Over 200 million Africans depend on fish as a primary source of protein.” However, years of unsustainable fishing practices and climate change have severely reduced fish populations and threatened food security across Africa.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the High Seas Treaty seeks to tackle these challenges through a global framework aimed at conserving marine life, governing activities on the high seas and ensuring the fair sharing of ocean resources.

For coastal African states that rely heavily on the migration of fish species, stronger high-seas governance offers a pathway to improve food security and sustain employment for millions.
 Khan stated that “diets of fish and aquatic foods provide animal-source protein, omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients, including both vitamins and minerals, necessary for both the ill and the healthy,” reinforcing the importance of aquatic foods as a cornerstone of nutrition in Africa.

Africa’s Ocean Diplomacy

Africa’s role in global ocean governance has expanded significantly in recent years, with the continent taking on a central role in shaping international marine policy. Throughout the High Seas Treaty negotiations, the African group pushed for fairer systems of benefit-sharing and greater technical support for developing nations. Their advocacy helped secure provisions linking ocean conservation with fairer access to the sustainable use of ocean life for developing states. The treaty establishes practical tools to safeguard marine ecosystems.

Blue Diplomacy

For Africa, the High Seas Treaty marks a pivotal shift in its participation within global frameworks for ocean protection and environmental cooperation. Ambassador Michael Kanu, Sierra Leone’s lead negotiator, explained that by acting collectively, African countries ensured their interests were built into the framework shaping how the world manages the high seas. Naidoo described this proactive diplomacy as demonstrating “the continent’s ability to shape global norms, rather than merely adapt to them,” reflecting an emerging form of blue diplomacy. By signing on to the treaty, South Africa reinforced the message that caring for shared oceans is essential not just for the planet’s health but for Africa’s future prosperity.

Oceans and Survival

Senegal’s story highlights that ocean policy in Africa is not only about making agreements but about protecting lives. The decline of local fish stocks has forced many to leave in search of work elsewhere. The Environmental Justice Foundation reported that over half of Senegal’s fisheries are now depleted, while almost half of the boats allowed to fish there belong to foreign companies. As a result, large vessels have emptied the seas and ruined habitats, reducing the incomes of small local fishers.

The decline in fish availability has pushed many coastal workers to migrate irregularly toward the Canary Islands, a journey known for its high death toll.

Each year, West African nations lose an estimated $9.4 billion to illegal fishing operations, which account for around a third of the total fish caught across West African waters, according to the Stimson Center. But the damage goes beyond money, as illegal fishing undermines local governance and destroys jobs, threatening millions across the region.

A Humanitarian Frontier

As the High Seas Treaty comes into force, African nations are emerging as central players in shaping how the world governs the oceans. Their engagement goes beyond diplomacy and reflects a matter of survival. Africa’s role in global ocean governance will be crucial in defining how shared marine resources are protected and managed. For countless African communities, this effort is not just about safeguarding the environment but about keeping the ocean as a reliable source of food on their tables.

– Ciara Moore

Ciarais based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Data Harvest: Predictive Famine Modeling

Predictive famine modelingFamine rarely arrives without warning. Yet in many cases, the signs go unnoticed until people are already on the brink. A new wave of data-driven tools and predictive famine modeling seeks to change that. Satellites, mobile surveys, artificial intelligence (AI) and harmonized datasets are being used to forecast hunger months in advance—and whether those predictions can be turned into action.

The Urgency: Hunger on the Rise

Globally, more than 343 million people face severe food insecurity, a surge driven by climate shocks, conflict and economic instability. Behind those numbers are families skipping meals, parents who go hungry so their children can eat and communities forced to make impossible choices. In 2025, the World Food Program (WFP) warned that 58 million people risk losing food assistance unless emergency funding is secured.

For those on the ground, this doesn’t just mean smaller rations—it can mean no rations. In places already strained by drought or conflict, the absence of aid can tip households from hardship into catastrophe. Donor contributions have dropped by 40% compared to the previous year, leaving many relief programs strained and at risk of collapse.

This funding shortfall comes at the worst possible time: wars and weather extremes are multiplying, food prices are volatile and the world’s most vulnerable are bearing the brunt. The humanitarian community has described it as a “perfect storm,” where shrinking resources collide with rising needs.

In this context, predictive famine modeling is of critical importance. If the world cannot guarantee more food aid today, it can at least sharpen its ability to see where tomorrow’s hunger will strike. The question is whether we can turn foresight into action—moving from a cycle of crisis response to one of prevention.

The Data Revolution

Researchers are combining data streams that once seemed unrelated to forecast hunger more effectively. Every signal tells part of the story, from satellites watching rainfall and crop growth to mobile phone surveys capturing what families eat each week. Remote sensing provides a broad view of land and weather patterns that hint at failing harvests. At the same time, phone interviews and household surveys show how people cope—whether meals are being skipped or diets are being cut back.

To bring this information together, new tools such as the Harmonized Food Insecurity Dataset (HFID) now integrate multiple indicators into one monthly, subnational series. It gives analysts a clearer picture of when and where food stress worsens. Even unconventional sources are being tapped: the AI model HungerGist, for example, scans thousands of news reports to detect signals of looming food crises that traditional surveys may miss.

The result is a new way of seeing hunger. Instead of reacting once famine takes hold, analysts can detect trouble months in advance and pinpoint specific regions at risk. By weaving together these diverse sources, predictive famine modeling moves humanitarian response from hindsight to foresight.

Case Study: Zimbabwe’s Survey Fusion

One of the most promising real-world examples comes from Zimbabwe. Researchers developed a joint Multilevel Regression & Poststratification (jMRP) model that fuses high-frequency mobile survey data from WFP’s mVAM with annual face-to-face surveys conducted by ZimVAC. Mobile phone data alone is fast but imprecise, while in-person surveys are accurate but slow. The fused model corrects for bias, narrows uncertainty and produces monthly, district-level estimates of food insecurity.

It allowed agencies to detect worsening conditions in specific regions before new survey rounds arrived—a major step toward real-time hunger monitoring. This illustrates how predictive famine modeling can combine imperfect but frequent data with slower, more accurate surveys to produce actionable insights.

Challenges and Blind Spots

However, predictive famine modeling is not a silver bullet. Conflict zones and remote areas often remain invisible because reliable surveys cannot be conducted there. Bias is another issue: phone surveys exclude people without access to mobile technology and news-based models can be distorted by unequal media coverage.

Proxy data also have limitations—crop stress or rainfall deficits do not always translate into hunger if aid, markets or remittances intervene. And even the best predictions cannot guarantee action: humanitarian actors face funding shortfalls, logistics challenges and political barriers that can prevent aid from reaching people on time.

Looking Ahead: From Bytes To Bites

Despite these challenges, the potential of predictive models is clear. With climate shocks, conflict and economic crises overlapping, early warnings are more necessary than ever. Experts argue three steps are critical: expanding data coverage through community surveys, integrating forecasts directly into aid planning to trigger cash transfers or prepositioned supplies and securing reliable funding so warnings are acted upon rather than ignored.

Ultimately, the goal is to turn “bytes into bites.” Predictive famine modeling is not the same as preventing hunger. However, with better data and stronger response systems, famine need not arrive silently. If early warnings can be matched with early action, the world could finally begin to stop famine before it strikes.

– Diane Dunlop

Diane is based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Fighting Poverty in Timor-Leste

timor-leste povertyTimor-Leste, a small island north of Australia, continues to battle widespread poverty. For decades, the coastal communities of Timor-Leste have struggled with the dependency of crops and farming, but they have figured a new way, and it all starts with the sea.

The Numbers

More than half of Timor-Leste’s population is multidimensionally poor, and an additional 26.8% is on the cusp of extreme poverty. Despite the country’s past efforts to ameliorate conflict within communities, Timor-Leste ranks 104th out of 124 countries on the Global Hunger Index. 

Childhood stunting is an unfortunate commonality among the families and children of Timor-Leste; more than half of the children under 5 struggle with stunting. Along with this, one in 24 children will die before the age of 5, and 38% of children under 5 are underweight, according to UNICEF.

In Timor-Leste, the most popular occupations that also generate the most income are crop farming, livestock rearing, fishing, formal employment and small scale businesses. Eighty-four percent of households rely on these occupations as a source of income and 63% of households rely solely on natural resource based livelihoods as a main source of income, making fisheries an important part of how Timor-Leste fights poverty.

How WorldFish is Making a Difference

WorldFish is a key component in helping the country of Timor-Leste fight poverty. WorldFish uses science to prioritize aquatic foods as a main source of nutrition. It aims to end hunger by 2030, and advance sustainable living for the whole planet. Timor-Leste’s WorldFish program is utilizing aquatic foods to change the trajectory of Timor’s food systems, in hopes to meet the nutritional needs of the country. WorldFish is currently working on two initiatives that rely on the sea to transform food systems.

Developed in 1988 as a part of a breeding program to create adaptable food sources, Genetically Improved Farm Tilapia (GIFT) has been wildly successful in its intention of increasing income and feeding local businesses, with Timor-Leste now cultivating its 14th generation of GIFT.

The second initiative is the development of Peskas, a digital monitoring platform. There was a lack of necessary information about where coastal fishers went and what they caught, and this led to government officials and policy change makers not knowing how to improve food insecurity in Timor-Leste.

Peskas uses GPS trackers to capture data about where fishers go, and document all that happened on their journey. That data is then seen on a public online dashboard, and this helps policymakers make more effective decisions about sustainability management. Peskas is not only the official fisheries monitoring system but Timor-Leste is being praised as an example in many other countries around the world.

Along these two, the Fish in Schools Meals pilot program from July 2023 aims to improve the consumption of fish in communities that are predominantly rural. The government has concentrated on developing sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sectors, which have successfully contributed to the influx of nutrition security.

Moving Forward

Since Timor-Leste’s independence in 2002, the country has seen extreme progress in maintaining stability as the youngest nation in Asia. As a country that is coming out of a recent conflict, they have managed to strengthen institutions and has benefited from economic growth.

This research highlights that the fisheries sector remains the most promising solution for how Timor-Leste fights poverty and could boost the well-being for the rural poor who live near the coast.

– Arielle Telfort

Arielle is based in Purchase, NY, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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FH Cambodia: Combatting Malnutrition

fh cambodiaCambodia is one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent countries in the region for culture and tourism. However, life for its citizens is shaped by many struggles. Scarce resources have limited opportunity for development and sustainability. As of 2025, 22% of the children under 5 struggle with malnourishment, with 16% of families unable to afford meals.

Furthermore, assistance to combat hunger is disproportionate, with urban areas improving significantly faster than rural areas, creating greater inequality. Food for the Hungry Cambodia (FH Cambodia) is one of the leading organizations working to bridge the gap and create communities that are sustainable and resilient.

FH Cambodia

FH’s initial mission was relief: aiding refugees and providing immediate support during civil unrest after the Vietnam war. By 1992, FH Cambodia shifted strategy: from temporary relief to partnering with marginalized communities in southern Cambodia (Kampot Province) to improve living conditions over the long term. Over time, FH expanded north, adopting decade-long community development models that address education, health, economic security, and leadership.

In 2024, FH Cambodia reached more than 211 communities and served 188,925 individuals. Out of the individuals, 66,472 were children. Young children, from 6-23 months, have a minimum dietary diversity, minimizing the risk that they are malnourished. FH was successful in combating malnutrition by partnering with local health care centers that measure the health status of the child.

Improving Education

In addition to combating malnutrition by aiding children and starving households, the organization created long term benefits, such as mobilizing churches and providing educational resources to schools. Specifically, the education program brought 625 children, 285 of which are girls, into primary education. Furthermore, FH Cambodia assisted in renovating five digital libraries in a district, allowing for interactive online learning. As a result, school absences of children aged 7–15 decreased by 17.9%, and 86.4% of children the same age are proficient in reading.

Pregnancy

FH Cambodia’s aggregate impact demonstrates the effectiveness of community-based programs focusing on long-term sustainability. However, the improvement in individual lives can be best seen through the stories of those directly aided. Mrs Khuon Sinan is a 27-year-old woman who lost three pregnancies, suffering miscarriages.

With help from community health workers partnered with FH Cambodia, Mrs Sinan received the care and observation of a midwife at a health center. There, Mrs Sinan changed her diet to have more diverse foods such as local greens and fruit, to satisfy nutritional requirements for a healthy pregnancy.

In addition, she also attended community health awareness programs and support groups to better understand how to take care of one’s wellbeing. At the end of the pregnancy, Mrs Sinan successfully gave birth to a healthy girl, and is able to provide for her newborn by breastfeeding and learning to cook nutritious meals.

The Future

Mrs Sinan’s story, after numerous tragic failures, is a testament to the impact FH Cambodia’s program on individuals. Even though hunger and poverty remain great problems in Cambodia, combating malnutrition and hunger as a whole is imperative. The work of organizations such as FH Cambodia ensures that communities cannot face the same devastation as decades prior and that everyone is on the path to a sustainable future.

– Owen Wu

Owen is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Business and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty, Fragility and the Rule of Law in Cuba

The Rule of Law in CubaPeople have always seen Cuba putting the most vulnerable first. Cuba aimed to achieve a state with no poverty, no unemployment, full literacy, strong education and strong health care. In other words, Cuba aims to be a successful socialist state. However, the socio-economic situation in Cuba today presents an entirely different picture. Today, Cuba is one of the poorest countries in the world with only 1.5% GDP growth between 2016-18, well below the 5% growth needed for sustainable development. The social services system has deteriorated and the employed are not working jobs where they could be most efficient. These factors have all contributed to increased levels of poverty in Cuba. Here is information about fragility and the rule of law in Cuba and how it relates to poverty.

Fragile Rule of Law in Cuba

Fragility of law has contributed significantly to poverty in Cuba. Cuba has high levels of corruption. Systemic failures in enforcing laws ensure that essential resources never reach the people. A lack of transparency has led to people not having any legal recourse to ensure better living and working conditions. The Cuban government also requires any aid coming from international organizations to go through the state agency in charge and work with local actors connected to the state. Therefore, in actuality, international organizations have very little control over how the aid provided is utilized or even where it is allocated. Weak rule of law and limited institutional capacity mean that vulnerable groups (women, people with HIV and the elderly) continue to face stigma and lack equal access to services

Poor Governance and Food Security in Cuba

However, a more pressing issue is bad governance. Poor fiscal policies have led to anemic economic growth and in the last two years the economy contracted from 1.8% in 2022 to -1.9% in 2023.

This contraction is far below the 5% needed for sustainable growth and to create the income needed for the government to provide basic services to the people. Cuba, according to the World Food Program (WHO), spends at least $1.7 billion annually on food imports. This is an increase from $1 billion of food imports in 2017. Weak enforcement of agricultural policies and poor incentives for producers contribute to persistent shortages. It is clear that the needs of the people are not being met. Severe food shortages have led people to rely more on income from outside sources other than the government such as dealing and working on the black market, remittances from outside aid or community networks.

Efforts To Address Poverty

However, there is some hope. Despite restrictions from the Cuban government, organizations such as the World Food Program (WFP) are having some success in providing aid to fight poverty. The WFP has implemented food security programs such as school feeding programs, nutrition education and training for farmers. It also collaborated with local authorities to enhance food systems and social protection mechanisms. These programs have had a noticeable impact on food security in Cuba. The WFP has managed to provide aid to more than 1.3 million people in Cuba through such programs.

Looking Ahead

According to a report by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, more than 89% of the Cuban population live in extreme poverty. There is severe inequality, corruption and a lack of basic services that not only increase poverty but sustain it. While there has been some success, without a strong change in policies and an increase in effective governance, the situation is not likely to change. In the end, addressing fragility and the rule of law in Cuba is essential for reducing poverty and ensuring a more equitable future for its citizens.

– Akash Ramaswamy

Akash is based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Nutrition and Poverty in Delhi: The Role of Education and NGOs

Nutrition in DelhiDelhi, the capital of India, is considered a culturally rich and diverse city. A beautiful city, vibrant with people, an amalgamation of culture and a kaleidoscope of colors. It holds a fine balance between traditional and modern values. With its blend of ancient heritage and traditional modern life, the city attracts people from across the country. However, beneath the vibrant image lies a stark contrast, where nutrition and poverty in Delhi continue to disproportionately impact underprivileged children, limiting their access to basic resources, education and opportunity.

According to the NITI Aayog Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report 2023, the share of the population living in multidimensional poverty declined from 4.43% in 2016 to 3.43% in 2021. However, this decline hides the reality in certain districts, especially in north and west Delhi, where poverty persists at troubling rates.

Education Inequality

While the country has seen overall improvement, education gaps remain a major issue in Delhi. A 2023 report by ThePrint indicated that “school attendance deprivation” increased from 31% in 2016 to 38% by 2021 in several districts of the city. This increase affects underprivileged children the most, often limiting their long-term prospects and trapping them in cycles of poverty. The situation is bleaker in rural parts of the nation.

According to the National Statistical Office (NSO), more than 20% of children between the ages of 6 and 14 in rural parts of India are out of school, compared to just 6% in urban counterparts. This reflects how nutrition and poverty in Delhi and beyond create long-term barriers to consistent school attendance and academic success.

Gender and Nutrition

Cultural biases and gender further deepen inequality in the country. An article by The Wire discussed how girls face a deficit in access to nutritional food sources because of the deep-rooted belief that boys will be the future providers in the family. Such beliefs amount to health issues for female children, including stunted growth and anemia.

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) pointed out that “54-59% of girls within the age group of 15-19 years are anemic as opposed to 29-31% boys in the same group” in India. Poor nutrition affects their ability to attend and succeed in school, reinforcing both gender and economic inequality.

Pehchaan the Street School

Many NGOs in the city are working to change this trajectory by providing essential resources to underprivileged children. One such example is Pehchaan the Street School in the Delhi-NCR region. As the name suggests, the organization focuses on providing a “Pehchaan, an identity to underprivileged children by providing them with education.” The nonprofit has worked tirelessly for more than 10 years to provide free education to children in the rural and slum areas of the city, aiming to make each child self-sufficient and independent.

Beyond the classroom, the organization also conducts free health check-up camps and menstrual health seminars. It provides legal and financial aid and vocational training courses for its students, ensuring they receive comprehensive support and are well-equipped to pursue their dreams confidently. The organization has supported more than 5,000 underprivileged children in the city over the last decade, achieving a passing rate of 94%. It works to address issues of nutrition and poverty in Delhi, creating support systems where the government infrastructure often falls short.

As one student shared, “In my 10-year journey, it has become a very important part of my life. I attend school regularly and this is where I received a lot of love, care and guidance.” This heartfelt reflection underscores the transformative role that the organization has played in the lives of many children.

The Red Foundation

The Red Foundatiom was founded in 2022 in the capital. The NGO aims to improve nutrition and support the right to education for underprivileged and marginalized communities. The institution operates on four pillars: education, better livelihood, skill development and empowerment and awareness. These pillars form the foundation for the nonprofit’s various programs and initiatives. One such program, “Pathshala,” provides academic education and life skills to disadvantaged children. Another, “Swasth Bharat,” proactively brings medical services to underserved areas.

Final Remarks

The work of grassroots organizations like Pehchaan-the Street School and Red Foundation demonstrates that meaningful change is both possible and already in motion. These efforts have brought education, health care and nutrition to many children who might have otherwise been left behind.

However, nutrition and poverty in Delhi remain pressing challenges that require continued, coordinated action from both public and private sectors. The journey toward equity and empowerment is far from over, but it is well underway.

– Vasudhaa Shakdher

Vasudhaa is based in Vancouver, BC, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash