Information and stories about food security news.

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Tackling Poverty: Entrepreneurs in Djibouti

djiboutiBetween 1862 and 1977, Djibouti was under French occupation and established a strong economic and military presence, which still exists today. As of 2025, France has five air and naval bases in operation in Djibouti, primarily along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Djibouti thus remains one of France’s last military strongholds on the continent, following the recent withdrawals from Mali and Burkina Faso in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Beyond the military influence that France still exerts, a reliance on imports into Djibouti raises issues of autonomy. The World Food Program (WFP) reports that Djibouti imports 90% of its food, leaving the country vulnerable to fluctuations in global prices, which can significantly affect a Djiboutian’s food purchasing power.

Entrepreneurs in Djibouti

Although starting a new business is not a rapid solution to a problem as critical as food insecurity, it allows entrepreneurs in Djibouti to take control of their future and offers a level of dignity that is not always possible in countries that face difficult circumstances.

As of 2021, the World Bank’s portfolio in Djibouti came to the sum of $248 million, which went towards urban poverty reduction through community development as well as social safety nets and private sector development.

The Regional Director for the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in East Africa, Jumoke Jagun-Dokunmu, stated that the private sector is a key driver for reducing poverty in Djibouti and the IFC, together with the World Ban,k is exploring “opportunities to support reforms that will improve Djibouti’s business environment and investment climate.”

People and Projects in Djibouti

As of 2023, the Djibouti Social Development Agency and Centre for Leadership and Entrepreneurship – part of a World Bank-financed initiative – has launched the Youth Entrepreneurship Training Program (FORJE), which aims to alleviate poverty and create a ripple effect in communities with high unemployment. In 2023, estimates suggested that 79% of youth in Djibouti were without work, and for women, that figure was at 74%; hence, the need for income generation within communities that are on the periphery of government support.

The FORJE program provides 2,300 microbusinesses access to developmental services like accounting, marketing and capital. For Mouna Yacin Abdillahi, from Dikhil in South-Western Djibouti, her small restaurant business has transformed her family’s life: “The FORJE program gave me an opportunity, a reason to get up every morning, and for that I thank the creators of the program. I feel useful to the community.”

For recipients of the FORJE grants and services, the benefits go far beyond a material improvement in daily life. For Mouna, the program has empowered her and given her a sense of purpose in a community where her job prospects would have been few otherwise.

The Future

Hopefully, more programs financed by international organizations such as the World Bank will start to appear in other parts of Africa that face high levels of unemployment and poverty. Although entrepreneurship is not always the quickest solution to alleviating poverty, a combination of humanitarian aid packages and commercial training programs provides a strong base to economically regenerate communities as well as grant autonomy and dignity to beneficiaries.

– Alfie Williams-Hughes

Alfie is based in Nottingham, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Push for Food Self-Sufficiency in Saudi Arabia

Food Self-Sufficiency in Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia imports nearly 80% of its food, relying heavily on international suppliers like the United States (U.S.), which exported $1.58 billion worth of agricultural products to the Kingdom in 2022. Harsh desert conditions and limited freshwater resources have made large-scale farming difficult, leading to an overwhelming dependence on imports. As part of a long-term development strategy, food self-sufficiency in Saudi Arabia is now a priority of the government, as well as aiming to strengthen food security and reduce vulnerability to global market shocks.

Food Waste and Loss

Despite maintaining food security, Saudi Arabia continues to struggle with food dependency and waste. According to United Nations (U.N.) data, the country accounts for 50% of global food waste, even though it has a population of about 33 million. A recent survey found that 78% of purchased food is discarded within a week to make room for newly bought groceries.

Cultural norms that encourage abundance often lead people to neglect or discard food, worsening the food waste crisis. To address the issue, the Saudi government launched programs such as Vision 2030, which includes a target to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030. In addition, the Saudi government launched the National Program for Food Loss and Waste Reduction to support this goal. Other proposed solutions include raising food prices, as low prices and bulk deals often encourage consumers to purchase more than they need.

Investing in Sustainable Agriculture

To reduce dependence on imports, the Saudi government continues to invest in initiatives like the Agricultural Development Fund (ADF), which strengthens agricultural sectors such as soybeans and maize. The country has made significant progress in the 21st century. By 2023, Saudi Arabia had reached self-sufficiency in dairy products and eggs and began exporting the surplus. The country also boosted the production of potatoes, poultry, tomatoes, red meat, carrots, fish and onions. To support continued agricultural growth, the government promotes innovations such as vertical farming, greenhouses and hydroponics. These technologies help maximize yield while conserving resources.

International Investments

Beyond domestic initiatives, Saudi Arabia is investing internationally to secure food supplies. The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) has acquired an 80% stake in Singapore-based Olam Agri for $1.8 billion. This acquisition provides Saudi Arabia with access to global supply chains and strengthens its position in the international agricultural market.

Moving Forward

Saudi Arabia’s population will likely reach 40 million by 2050. To keep pace, the government focuses on improving food consumption efficiency and reducing dependence on imports. Although the country currently contributes a significant portion of global food waste, new regulations and public awareness campaigns could help lower that share over the next five years.

Efforts to expand local food production, improve waste management and promote agricultural innovation remain integral to food self-sufficiency in Saudi Arabia, and its development plans. Continued investment in sustainable practices could help the country strengthen food security and support its growing population in the years ahead.​

– Naseem Rahman

Naseem is based in Staten Island, NY, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Biofortified Sweet Potato: A Solution for Food Insecurity

Biofortified Sweet PotatoVitamin A deficiency affects approximately 140 million children worldwide, posing serious public health challenges, including weakened immunity, stunted growth and potential blindness. Since 2009, the International Potato Center (CIP), a component of CGIAR, has led initiatives to combat this deficiency, especially in Africa and Asia. Their solution includes the development of a climate-resilient, biofortified orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP). This innovation aims to address significant global challenges like malnutrition and food scarcity.

Combating Vitamin A Deficiency

CIP’s innovative crop plays a crucial role in combating vitamin A deficiency. Consuming just 125 grams of boiled orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) can fulfill the daily vitamin A requirements for preschool-aged children, addressing malnutrition effectively. Researchers have released more than 100 pro-vitamin A sweet potato varieties in more than 20 countries, adapting each to local environmental conditions to ensure their success.

Nutritional and Health Benefits

While OFSP is rich in pro-vitamin A, biofortified potatoes developed by CIP also provide a wealth of essential nutrients. 100 grams of boiled potatoes can provide 16% of the daily potassium and 30% of the daily vitamin C needs. Recently, new varieties contain 40 to 80% more iron and zinc, with an absorption rate of 29%.  Due to OFSP, there has been a 22% reduction in vitamin A deficiency in 17 African countries.

Reaching Households

CIP’s biofortified sweet potato initiative currently benefits more than 6.4 million households, a number that’s projected to climb as the organization aims to reach 10 million households within the next five years. Studies reveal significant nutritional impacts: in Mozambique, incorporating Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP) into children’s diets has slashed vitamin A deficiency by 15%. Meanwhile, in Kenya, the incorporation of sweet potato puree into bread and buns has not only enriched food with essential nutrients but also spurred economic activity, generating more than $1 million in annual sales. Consuming just two slices of bread made with OFSP puree meets 10% of an adult’s daily vitamin A requirement.

Biofortified Sweet Potatoes in the Face of Harsh Climates

The continent of Africa contributes less than 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions and yet it is disproportionately impacted by changing weather patterns. By 2040, temperatures are expected to rise by 2 degrees Celsius. This not only presents a huge risk to food security but will have a severe impact on smallholder farmers who produce 90% of sub-Saharan Africa’s food. OFSP is a drought-resistant crop. More than 10 million households in Africa and South Asia now grow this crop. Furthermore, in addition to OFSP, CGIAR is developing more than 350 biofortified and climate-resistant crop varieties to benefit more than 50 million people in 41 countries. 

Future Prospects

The sweet potato program at the International Potato Center (CIP) has gained acclaim for its significant impact on global food security. In 2016, CIP researchers received the World Food Prize for their work in enhancing nutrition and food security through the cultivation of this crop. Continuing into the 2022-2024 period under the CGIAR Investment Prospectus, there is a strategic focus on transforming systems and bolstering resilient agrifood systems. This initiative champions the development of nutrient-rich and climate-resilient crops, including the biofortified sweet potato, aiming to secure a sustainable future for millions of smallholder farming families worldwide.

– Ellisha Hicken

Ellisha is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Chomuzangari Cooperative: Food Security in Masvingo

The Chomuzangari Cooperative: Food Security in MasvingoIn many rural, impoverished parts of Zimbabwe, women are the primary producers of staple food within households. However, many face discrimination that detracts from their access to resources and decision-making capabilities. The Chomuzangari Cooperative bolsters female participation, empowerment and mental health in these areas. Furthermore, the Cooperative directly enhances food security, water access and education. Individuals who have directly experienced the challenges of rural life in Zimbabwe drive the success of the Cooperative. The Welsh Government, through Hub Cymru Africa, largely funds and supports this initiative.

Women in Masvingo

In the Chivi District of Masvingo Province, where women form the majority of the population at 787,098, they traditionally play a diminished role in community decision-making. The Chomuzangari Cooperative aims to empower these women by boosting their confidence and self-esteem, ensuring their voices are heard and their participation increases. The theory is simple: with more resources and confidence, women can enhance food production in the area. A significant method for bolstering self-esteem is through education. To make education more accessible to everyone in the community, the Cooperative has introduced e-learning resources, including Raspberry Pi technology.

Mental Health

In addition to enhancing learning, water access, sanitation and hygiene, the Cooperative also focuses on destigmatizing mental health in Zimbabwe. Typically, mental health services are concentrated in hospitals in major urban centers, leaving rural areas poorly served. Rural mental health care suffers from stigma, resource constraints and staff shortages. Moreover, care for the mentally ill often falls on women, which can be traumatic and detrimental to their mental health. By boosting female self-esteem, the Cooperative hopes to not only support women through these challenges but also empower them to advocate for improvements in the mental health system.

3 Success Stories of Women in Masvingo

  1. Nutritious Veg Gardens. By encouraging women in Masvingo to gather and share nutrient-rich recipes and foods, the community saw a significant boost in local nutrition. Women in the area started a one-hectare nutrition garden where they planted nutritious crops such as rodade tomatoes, Texas Grano onions, cabbage, kale and much more. This initiative dramatically improved the quality of life for women and enhanced food security in the region, as it eliminated the need for women to travel 90 kilometers to Chivi Growth Point or 140 kilometers to Masvingo town to buy fresh vegetables.
  2. Access to Clean Water. Following a collaborative initiative with Hope Foundation, funded by the Welsh Government, thousands of Chomuzangari residents now have access to clean drinking water. The program financed the installation of a borehole, a solar pump and a 5,000-liter storage tank. Local volunteers contributed by making bricks and installing parts of the system. This development ended the previous burden of walking 3-8 kilometers to collect water. Now, nearly all women in the district live within 500 meters of a water point. This significantly reduces food insecurity and prevents children from missing school to fetch water.
  3. Protection of Crops. Due to a new fence constructed with the help of 67 volunteers, 600 women can now grow more food for their families. This fence, which encloses a hectare of garden space for growing vegetables, was funded by a grant from the Welsh Government. The initiative recognizes that protecting crops from animals is essential for fostering food security in the region.

Looking Ahead

The Chomuzangari Cooperative has significantly enhanced the perception of women and the quality of life in entire communities throughout the Masvingo region. Before the project began, the changing climate, discrimination and limited resources severely hindered women’s ability to provide food for their families. Although these challenges persist, the Cooperative’s ongoing efforts and funding have greatly mitigated their impact.

– Bea Newington-Bridges

Bea is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Svalbard Global Seed Vault: Protecting Crop Diversity

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault: Protecting Crop DiversityIn Svalbard, Norway, deep within a mountain at 150 meters, lies a significant refrigerated vault holding more than a million crop seeds from around the globe. Regional seed banks worldwide contribute duplicates of their seeds to this repository, ensuring their secure storage. Supported by the Norwegian government, this initiative aims to safeguard biodiversity and provide a safety net against potential global crises that could threaten the food supply.

The Importance of Seed Banks

Crop diversification plays a crucial role in sustaining healthy ecosystems and enhancing agricultural resilience. It mitigates soil erosion, enriches soil health and fortifies crops against pests and diseases. By planting a variety of crops, farmers can potentially shield their livelihoods from extreme weather and other adversities, ensuring that if one crop falters, others may thrive to offset the loss. However, crop diversity has sharply declined over the last 50 years. TIME Magazine reports that merely about 30 crops now supply 95% of the nutritional needs of humans. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) adds that since 1900, there has been a staggering 95% loss in plant genetic diversity globally.

Natural disasters are the primary threat to crop diversity in developing countries. Flooding, drought, excessive heat and other unpredictable weather patterns, can wipe out entire fields of crops. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault protects crop diversity and prevents hunger by ensuring that crop species do not go extinct. The vault stores seeds and their duplicates, ensuring that agriculture can reintroduce them following catastrophic events, thus protecting global food security.

Marie Haga, executive director of the Crop Trust, an organization that operates the Svalbard Seed Vault in collaboration with the Norwegian government, emphasizes that crop diversity is essential to global livelihood: “Not too many think about crop diversity as being so fundamentally important, but it is. It is almost as important as water and air. Seeds generally as the basis for everything. Not only what we eat, but what we wear, nature all about us.” 

Seed Banks Around the World

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault collaborates with more than a thousand regional seed banks worldwide. These banks collect, freeze and store seeds from various crop species. They send duplicates of these seeds to the Svalbard vault for secure, long-term storage. Operating much like an insurance policy, the organization protects these seeds against potential regional threats such as severe weather or conflict. Svalbard safely stores the duplicates should a regional seed bank’s supplies be compromised.

The Svalbard facility’s operations are important in war-ridden regions. In 2012, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) had to move from its location just outside of Aleppo, Syria, in 2012 when the civil war threatened the facility’s security. In Afghanistan and Iran, violent conflict destroyed seed banks, compromising seeds that had not yet been sent to Svalbard.

Svalbard’s location in Northern Norway is optimal for the global seed vault due to its cold climate, which is essential for preserving seeds at -18° Celsius. The vault’s placement of 150 meters inside a mountain offers added protection against severe weather events, including extreme cold and avalanches. Apart from these natural conditions, Svalbard’s remoteness plays a crucial role in its security, making it unlikely to be affected by international conflicts. This combination of factors effectively safeguards the seeds, providing a critical backup for global agriculture.

Looking Forward

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault plays a pivotal role in preserving global crop diversity, acting as a vital insurance policy against environmental and man-made disasters. Securing more than a million seed samples from various regions ensures the continued availability of essential crops for future generations. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault continues to expand its collection and it can hold about 4.5 million seeds. This initiative can potentially maintain agricultural resilience and secure food supplies worldwide.

– Maren Fossum-Wernick

Maren is based in St. Paul, MN, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Kuza Freezer and Its Impact on Kenya’s Fishing Industry

Kuza Freezer and Its Impact on Kenya's Fishing Industry Founded in 2021, Kuza Freezer based in Mombasa, Kenya, aims to boost local fishing industries by providing solar-powered cold storage refrigeration. The fishing industry plays a vital role in the lives of many Kenyans, offering them employment and income as well as contributing toward poverty reduction, minimizing food insecurity and expanding the country’s economy through foreign exports. According to Kenya’s National Bureau of Statistics, agriculture, forestry and fishing contributed approximately 22% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and was the largest employer with more than 20 million workers in 2023, marking a 2% increase. 

Challenges and Innovations in Fish Storage

Proper storage can keep fish fresh for up to three months after catching, but many developing countries lack necessary refrigeration, leading to a much shorter shelf life of just a few hours. This increases the risk of foodborne illnesses such as cholera, diarrhea and typhoid. Despite fish products accounting for approximately 30% of all reported foodborne illnesses, a variety of fish, including tilapia, carp, eel and bass remain popular in Kenyan markets, where locals prefer fresh fish. Fisheries also face significant profit losses due to mass spoilage, often resorting to reprocessing wasted fish as feed rather than selling it.

Technological Advancements and Community Impact

Kuza Freezer provides a sustainable solution with its portable cold boxes that maintain fish at optimal temperatures for up to 30 days. These freezers, lightweight and easy to transport by car or bike, operate on solar energy with battery life lasting up to eight hours. Constructed from recycled plastics sourced from local communities, the cold boxes can reach temperatures as low as -18 degrees Celsius. In Kenya’s fishing industry, these solar-powered units are favored for their affordability and low maintenance, offering a practical alternative to conventional freezers and ice.

Kuza Freezer also markets its emissions-free Kuza Freezer Trike, a combination mobile bicycle cart and freezer, designed for customers requiring enhanced mobility. The company offers training to its customers, along with flexible payment plans and support for repairs to ensure sustainability. Additionally, Kuza Freezer facilitates direct deliveries through its Soka Express App, which conveniently brings fish directly to customers, enhancing the service’s accessibility and efficiency.

Expansion and Broader Applications

Kuza Freezer has achieved significant milestones by delivering more than 350 products, boosting customer incomes by 60%. A study revealed that 99% of fishers reported profit increases with the aid of a cold storage system. Moreover, the benefits of Kuza Freezer’s products extend beyond the fishing industry to encompass dairy, produce and even medical sectors, demonstrating the broad utility and impact of reliable refrigeration solutions.

Looking Ahead

Kuza Freezer’s solar-powered cold storage technology is transforming Kenya’s fishing industry by reducing spoilage and enhancing product quality, which leads to increased incomes for local fishers. The company’s innovative approach to refrigeration has the potential to expand beyond the fishing industry, impacting agriculture and health care by providing reliable cold storage solutions. As Kuza Freezer continues to grow, its technology could play a crucial role in supporting economic development and improving food security in Kenya and beyond.

– Tanita Love

Tanita is based in Chicago. IL, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Cultivating Growth in Bangladesh with Floating Gardens

Cultivating Growth in Bangladesh with Floating GardensHeavy monsoon rains douse Bangladesh for eight months each year, submerging nearly one-third of the country. Severe flooding jeopardizes food security and threatens the livelihoods of almost half of the population directly employed by agriculture. Farmers are taking matters into their own hands, transforming waterlogged fields into hydroponic floating gardens. This method boosts crop yields and provides a more diverse, robust bounty.

The transition from predominantly growing rice to cultivating more nutrient-dense foods like pumpkins, tomatoes, papayas and beans will be instrumental in promoting health and well-being across Bangladesh, a country with one of the highest malnutrition rates. Development charities like Practical Action and humanitarian organizations like Care International have helped bring an ancient farming practice to the country’s most at-risk areas, namely rural and impoverished communities.  

Agricultural Progress and Environmental Setbacks

In the past few decades, Bangladesh has made significant strides toward reducing poverty and averting famine with incremental improvements in farming technologies. According to the World Bank, productive agricultural strategies facilitated a tripling of food grain production between 1972 and 2014, helping meet the needs of a rapidly expanding population. Still, salt intrusion, drought and flood threaten to hamper progress, which demands continued adaptability and innovation in the agricultural sector. 

Revival of Ancient Agricultural Practices

Farmers in south-central Bangladesh, are turning to a historical gardening practice: floating vegetable gardens. These gardens, constructed on artificial islands in swampy wetlands and rivers, provide a lifeline during monsoon seasons. They also serve as shelters for livestock and double as fishing spots. The simplicity of this method makes it a viable alternative to traditional farming during periods of intense flooding. Farmers tend to their plants by paddling across the water in rafts fashioned from natural materials like water hyacinth. As the floating gardens rise and fall with rain patterns, farmers reap the rewards of their labor and nourish local villages. 

Hydroponic Innovations to Resource-Poor Regions

While hydroponic gardening has shown promise in some parts of Bangladesh, it’s crucial not to overlook the areas with fewer resources. These regions, often in urgent need of intervention, could greatly benefit from the tools and support to convert their fields into floating gardens. The work of groups like Practical Action, which have set up floating gardens in the northern part of the country, enables and empowers farmers to grow food year-round, regardless of weather conditions. 

Looking Ahead

Bangladesh’s adaptation of hydroponic floating gardens promises a resilient agricultural future, especially for regions perennially affected by flooding. As more communities embrace this innovative farming technique, it could significantly enhance food security and reduce malnutrition nationwide. Continued support from development charities and local innovation will be key to expanding these ongoing sustainable practices to ensure all regions can thrive despite environmental challenges.

– Natalie Kaufman

Natalie is based in Orlando, FL, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Papatoetoe Food Hub Fights Food Insecurity in South Auckland

Papatoetoe Food Hub Fights Food Insecurity in South AucklandSouth Auckland, a highly diverse region of New Zealand, is home to numerous Māori communities like mana whenua and Pacific, Asian and European ethnic groups. Each of these groups holds significant food traditions that currently face the risk of increasing food insecurity. Data from the area reveal that one in seven children come from families facing moderate to severe food insecurity, with 30% of Māori children affected. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity in South Auckland, with a local food bank reporting that most of its food parcel recipients were individuals who lost their jobs due to the pandemic.

Traditional Food Practices

Land ownership, or the lack thereof, has severely affected indigenous communities’ ability to access and cultivate food. This is especially true for Māori communities, where colonization and urbanization have hindered their ability to gather and prepare traditional kai (food). In addition, the respectful use of whenua (land) is central to food cultivation in these communities. However, maintaining these values is becoming more challenging in the context of contemporary food systems. Consequently, the struggle of indigenous communities to engage in environmentally friendly farming practices is a major factor in escalating food insecurity.

The Papatoetoe Food Hub

The Papatoetoe Food Hub set up shop in South Auckland to provide sustainable and affordable meals to the community while embracing traditional values of community and environmental stewardship. A key focus, as reported by the Food Hub, is promoting knowledge exchange on growing, harvesting and maintaining crops. To this end, it conducts on-site lessons about indigenous cooking methods. The hub also prioritizes sustainable food practices aligned with Māori values, rescuing and repurposing 18.6 tons of food between September 2019 and May 2021.

A Community-Led Success Story

The Papatoetoe Food Hub adopts a community-led strategy, working in close collaboration with local schools, universities and government agencies to benefit its local community. Knowledge Auckland conducted interviews with 30 individuals about the hub, seeking to understand its impact. The study revealed the value generated by every dollar spent at the hub:

  • $0.55 goes to the team, comprised of people hired from local communities.
  • $0.38 goes to the local economy, including the purchase of ingredients from local suppliers.
  • $0.07 goes toward government infrastructure.

Julio Bin of the Southern Initiative observed, “The Food Hub is a tangible demonstration of how we can do things differently.” Meanwhile, a local mom emphasized, “They base the menu on what the community wants.” The Papatoetoe Food Hub continues to thrive, attracting an increasing number of patrons and even received endorsement from former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. The hub aims to build on this success, with local stakeholder Gael Surgenor noting, “The biggest impact is yet to come.”

Looking Forward

The Papatoetoe Food Hub exemplifies the power of community-driven solutions in combating food insecurity while preserving cultural heritage. Addressing food insecurity in South Auckland, the hub intertwines traditional values with modern sustainable practices. It offers a beacon of hope for diverse communities, showcasing a scalable model for others to follow.

– Kayleigh O’Brien

Kayleigh is based in Leeds, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Being poor in North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea)

Being Poor in North KoreaNorth Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is one of the poorest countries in the world, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. The Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950, when the North Korean Army attacked South Korea. The war lasted until 1953 when military commanders from the United States (U.S.), China and North Korea signed the Korean Armistice Agreement. It established a demilitarized zone (DMZ) that has economically and culturally separated South and North Korea to this day. 

Following the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, North Korea experienced a significant economic decline, mainly due to a reduction in foreign aid. Poverty in North Korea is widespread, and its people have become one of the most isolated and marginalized groups. This economic downturn has contributed to the challenges faced by the population.

What Is Poverty Like in North Korea?

Poverty is prevalent in North Korea. Around 60% of the total population is believed to live below the poverty line, equating to 15 million people. According to the remote-sensed luminosity data, the economic status of North Korea forecasts a downturn even though there is a lack of credible information regarding the poverty figures. Furthermore, due to agricultural mismanagement of the state as well as an increasing economic inequality between regions, North Koreans are suffering from food shortages, leading to malnutrition. Aside from economic problems, there is a lack of infrastructure in education and health care, making the quality of life much poorer. 

When Have They Been So Poor?

Being poor in North Korea has been an ongoing issue. From 1994 to 1998, there was a severe famine in North Korea, which resulted in nearly two to three million deaths, more than 10% of North Korea’s population. All the natural disasters, such as hailstorms in 1994, flooding from 1995 to 1996 and droughts in 1997, pushed the whole country into a more grievous economic crisis. Despite starvation during the 1990s, the regime has maintained a failed economic model, which put the country’s food security in danger. Throughout the global pandemic coronavirus disease, starting in early 2020, North Korea closed its borders, which aggravated the scarcity of food. Day by day, North Koreans face increasing repression and danger, threatening the welfare of their lives. 

Why Is Poverty Rampant in North Korea?

Undeniably, being poor in North Korea stems from the poor governance of the totalitarian regime of the Kim family. They adopted the “Juche” ideology, having these three elements: the spirit of independence, self-reliance in the economy and self-defense in the military sector, which paved the way for the dictatorship by isolating the country in the name of independence. This ideology led the leadership to take on a command economy, also known as a planned economy, in which they controlled the production and distribution of goods and services. 

This economic model severely limits freedom in the domestic market setting, hindering economic growth due to the absence of competition. All the regulations on international trade exacerbate the country’s economy. Furthermore, the regime violated the right to life and freedom, and in particular, women and children are poorly treated among all vulnerable groups.

Hope in Action

Helping Hands Korea(HHK) is a non-governmental organization based on the Korean peninsula that has actively supported North Koreans since 1996. It provides necessities, including food, medicine and clothing, to North Korean people as well as escapees in China. 

LiNK, Liberty in North Korea, is an international non-government organization that aims to rescue North Korean refugees who have to travel a 3,000-mile secret route and empower them by offering resettlement programs. The organization also strives to change the narrative on North Korea by creating media content. More than 150,000 people engage with North Korean storytellers on social media, and in 2019, this project reached over 5.7 million people online. 

The what, when and why of being poor in North Korea reflects that its political and economic stance has made North Korea a hermit kingdom. However, despite the extreme poverty in North Korea, they have a hopeful future ahead as there are international supporters who are acting in full hope to ensure they are well-fed, clothed and sheltered.

– Grace Mun
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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3 US Initiatives Fighting Global Hunger

Fighting Global HungerGlobal hunger is a multifaceted issue that affects communities and economies. Addressing it is not only a humanitarian imperative but also essential for achieving broader global goals and ensuring a more equitable and sustainable future.

Despite the challenges posed by the Russo-Ukrainian war and the growing wave of nationalism, the United States continues to take initiatives aimed at reducing global hunger and improving food systems and nutrition security on a global scale.

What is the Global Hunger Index?

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is responsible for calculating and tracking hunger at regional, national levels and global levels. GHI evaluation is done on the values of four component indicators: undernourishment, insufficient availability of food, shortfalls in the nutritional status of children and child mortality. The GHI score is measured on a 100-point scale reflecting the severity of hunger, where zero is the best score, indicating no hunger, and 100 is the worst.

According to the report, there are currently 46 countries experiencing “serious” or “alarming” levels of hunger. Unfortunately, without significant changes, both the global situation and approximately 46 specific countries are not expected to attain even a minimal level of hunger reduction, as the Global Hunger Index (GHI) measured, by the year 2030.

Some have said the reason to be the Russo-Ukrainian War, which has disturbed the supply chain. Before that, the COVID-19 pandemic worsened economic crises. Further climate change and civil disputes have increased the scale of global hunger. This has caused the need for the urgent scaling up of humanitarian and resilience-building responses.

The US Initiatives for Reducing Global Hunger

The U.S. is responding to these worrying details with three initiatives. The U.S. dollar has relatively high purchasing power, and the country is trying to contribute its fair share to end global hunger.

The following three initiatives have extended humanitarian assistance to the people who are facing hunger.

1. Feed the Future

The foundation of this initiative was laid down in 2010 by Barack Obama. The program has helped in the technological advancement of 9 million farmers and improved the diets of nearly 18 million children across the globe by working in a variety of sectors to reduce hunger and promote self-resilience. It is active in 19 countries including Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda, etc. 

The program focuses on the promotion of agriculture. For example, the program has helped farmers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to learn new techniques upon high prices of fertilizers. The Feed the Future DRC Fall Armyworm Activity program works with farmers to make them aware of new technology and methods of mitigating the Armyworm, an infectious pest.

Furthermore, Feed the Future catalyzes research in various fields. As an illustration, in 2023, Esther Achola conducted research aimed at combating groundnut rosette disease (GRD). This disease is especially harmful to peanut crops as it results in plant discoloration, stunting and distortion, leading to total loss of the crop. In April 2023, a five-year, USAID promised a $15 million investment in the Peanut Innovation Lab. This contribution will strengthen global food security and will prove a boon for farmers.

2. Food For Peace

Almost 60 years ago, President Dwight D. Eisenhower found a solution to the agricultural surplus going to waste in America. He signed the Agricultural Trade Development Assistance Act into law. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy expanded the program, naming it Food For Peace (FFP). The new program came under the purview of foreign policy and worked to provide food to people in need.

Through its emergency programs, the program can reach people in acute shortage of food, who natural disasters affect. The program also has a development-focused aspect which equips people to be less dependent on foreign assistance. 

Yemen has the most concerning situation in terms of food security. FFP provided more than $361 million in life-saving emergency food assistance to Yemen in 2018.

In Guatemala, FFP trains people to farm in a way that helps the environment and makes more food at home. In the area where the project happened, more farmers started using good farming methods. These methods include using better seeds, taking care of the soil, using natural fertilizers, growing gardens at home, looking after fruit trees and growing local herbs. In 2013, only 50.1% of farmers used these methods, but by 2018, it went up to 63.8%.

3. The Global Food Security Act

The Global Food Security Act of 2016 was aimed at extending the U.S. commitment to eliminate global hunger. The success of the Feed the Future program prompted the passing of this act. On October 11, 2018, President Trump signed a law that reauthorized the Global Food Security Act and added five years to achieve better results. It emphasized reducing global hunger and poverty with attention to solving the problem of malnutrition in developing countries. Sustainable development aims to achieve the reduction.

The Global Food Security Act of 2016, or GFSA, made official the methods that Feed the Future uses to combat global hunger. It is a commitment to keep fighting hunger and making sure everyone knows about it. Through GFSA, the United States made Feed the Future even stronger by improving how it tracks progress and making different parts of the government work together.

Looking Ahead

Addressing global hunger is imperative for a more equitable and sustainable future. Despite the challenges that conflicts pose, such as pandemics and changing weather patterns, the United States is actively engaged in combating global hunger through initiatives like Feed the Future, Food For Peace and the Global Food Security Act. These efforts exemplify the nation’s commitment to making a positive impact on the global food security landscape, emphasizing the urgency of collective global action to achieve meaningful progress.

– Asra Mairaj
Photo: Flickr