Archive for category: Food & Hunger

Information and stories on food.

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Local2030 Islands Network: SDGs in Developing Island States

Local2030 Islands Network: Scaling up SDGs in Developing Island States The world’s small island territories and nations face unique development challenges and are collectively identified as Small Island Developing States by the United Nations (U.N.). These islands commonly experience high costs of living, limited financial opportunities, import dependence and climate vulnerability. Together, these factors create conditions for undiversified and vulnerable economies, contributing to high levels of poverty among island populations. With frequent climate hazards, these challenges become further exacerbated, disrupting both livelihoods and ecosystems that are essential for long-term island sustainability and income generation. The U.N. has emphasized the importance of advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing island states, as these states are at the forefront of making sustainable transitions.

The Local2030 Islands Network

To help address these issues, the Local2030 Islands Network was developed as the first island-to-island network dedicated to locally scaling up the SDGs in developing island states. This network emphasizes implementing goals in ways that reflect the realities of individual island communities. Launched in 2019, the network facilitates cooperation between island governments, organizations and local leaders to scale up sustainable development. As of 2025, 28 island states have joined the network, and many more have engaged in planning efforts and identifying localized solutions. The network serves as a platform where islands can share experiences and best practices, identify local priorities and develop actionable plans.

With the network’s support, island members commit to four key objectives to help execute development agendas. These commitments include advancing political leadership to support climate resilience, strengthening public-private partnerships, transparently measuring SDG progress and implementing concrete initiatives that address local goals. The network also includes “communities of practice” (CoP) that focus on priority island-related issues such as sustainable income generation and climate resilience. These CoP serve as digital platforms that bring together experts, civil society members, stakeholders and community representatives to utilize a combination of technical assistance, Indigenous knowledge and modern technology to address multiple challenges and areas of focus.

Guam Green Growth Initiative

One of the network’s recently implemented projects is taking shape in Guam, a United States (U.S.) territory located in the western Pacific Ocean. Known as the Guam Green Growth Initiative (G3), it is part of the island’s 10-year plan for scaling up local SDGs. This plan includes a framework for addressing local goals related to creating circular economies, expanding opportunities in green jobs and building food system resilience.

Recent assessments of Guam’s poverty rate suggest that one in five residents live below the poverty line, a figure that is double that of the U.S.

As part of G3, decision-makers are combining conservation and economic opportunity to address this issue with long-term solutions, with efforts underway to transition the island to a diversified, circular economy that offers greater financial opportunities for residents. This work includes multiple skills development and job preparation programs, as well as efforts to enhance local cottage industries. One skills development program, known as the Conservation Corps, offers paid training for individuals to learn a wide range of skills within the green jobs sector, supporting the island’s transition to a green economy.

Additional programs support the development of small businesses and cottage industries. The G3 Makerspace and Innovation Hub facilitates cottage industry growth by providing local entrepreneurs and businesses with access to specialized tools, technologies and training for sustainable business practices.

G3 also strengthens partnerships with local organizations, including Guam Unique Merchandise and Art, a local nonprofit that provides small businesses with training and grants to help them grow. This support creates additional small-business employment opportunities and reduces reliance on imported products.

Strengthening Food Security and Local Resilience

G3 promotes social and economic protections by enhancing local food security. Guam imports a large portion of its food, resulting in high prices and increased vulnerability to global supply shocks. G3 addresses this issue by supporting local agriculture, aquaculture and community garden projects. The G3 community gardens offer cost-efficient and sustainable solutions that promote local food security, contribute to food banks and support food access for vulnerable populations facing homelessness and poverty.

A focus on agriculture, aquaculture and aquaponics also contributes to food sovereignty and security in Guam. Through partnerships with local nonprofits such as Guåhan Sustainable Culture, G3 provides workforce development and resources for small-scale farmers.

Additionally, five aquaculture and aquaponics projects have been implemented on the island, providing resources for sustainable, year-round crop and fish production. Through educational initiatives, community members learn to manage these systems, building capacity for the expansion of local aquafarms.

Looking Ahead

The Guam Green Growth Initiative demonstrates how locally driven approaches can advance the SDGs in developing island states. By integrating economic diversification and sustainable food systems, Guam moves toward a more resilient future. As challenges persist for island communities, the Local2030 Islands Network continues to support initiatives such as G3, which offer lessons for other islands to replicate and adapt. Continued collaboration and locally based solutions remain vital to building sustainable futures for island communities.

– Quinlan Bohannon

Quinlan is based in Portland, OR, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Food Aid Theft Solutions

Food Aid Theft SolutionsFood aid theft is an issue with significant implications. It directly affects people in need who do not receive essential goods during critical times, worsening economic conditions and food insecurity. It also undermines trust among humanitarian organizations and can affect their funding levels. Repeated diversion of aid has been shown to lead to suspension of support, as seen in 2019 in Yemen. At that time, in the Yemeni capital, at least 10% of the World Food Programme’s (WFP) deliveries were diverted from people in need.

In some cases, this renders food aid less effective. For instance, in Yemen, despite increased levels of support in 2019, hunger persisted and even increased in some areas. However, innovative grassroots, structural or community-based initiatives have shown potential to reduce the problem in deeply affected places such as Somalia, Ethiopia and Yemen.

Grassroots Initiatives

Action Against Hunger launched a grassroots campaign in Somalia by establishing community call centers to improve aid reporting measures. The approach helps track aid deliveries in areas affected by limited resources and conflict. Addressing these issues is essential because Action Against Hunger reports that limited road access and control of territory by non-state actors significantly contribute to aid diversion.

The organization hired and trained local volunteers in tracking and reporting aid deliveries. The team handles complaints and verification and also manages real-time crises. In 2023, the call center was alerted by community members about a cholera outbreak, allowing the organization to intervene immediately. In two years of operation, the call center has answered more than 30,000 calls regarding aid delivery verification, feedback on aid received and requests for emergency assistance. The calls are prepaid, meaning even people in remote regions can contact the center.

Structural Changes

A growing approach among humanitarian organizations is shifting from in-kind aid to direct financial assistance. According to the WFP, sending money is empowering because cash is often the most important asset during a disaster or crisis. It provides flexibility, allowing recipients to use it for food, medical bills, rent or school fees based on their needs. This has become an increasingly common practice. In 2023, the WFP sent about $2.8 billion to countries including Yemen, Somalia and Afghanistan, directly supporting 51.6 million people.

The Poverty Action Lab, a research center founded by Massachusetts Institute of Technology professors, evaluated cash assistance positively. The organization reported that in Niger, financial support helped families eat more frequently. Delivery costs are relatively low, making this solution cost-effective. Their findings suggest that cash can improve economic conditions and have positive effects on mental well-being. For example, Afghan women who received cash transfers reported feeling happier and more confident about their economic situation. While the Poverty Action Lab notes the need for more research, it concludes that cash has a tangible, positive impact on food security. Provided an area has functioning markets, the organization suggests this type of assistance can support long-term stability by helping families build more secure futures.

Community Approaches

Community-based strategies are another of the solutions addressing food aid theft. Humanitarian organizations engage local residents in various ways, including empowerment projects in Ethiopia’s Tigray region and feedback desks in Sudan.

Omna Tigray, a nonprofit in Ethiopia, addresses food aid theft by involving residents in planning, implementing and monitoring food aid programs. The organization states that local engagement cultivates responsibility among community members. According to Omna Tigray, empowering residents helps identify and report aid diversion and strengthens relationships between donors and beneficiaries, which can be strained by theft. Community engagement is particularly important in a region where 5.4 million residents depend on aid deliveries.

Similar approaches have been implemented elsewhere, including feedback desks in refugee camps in Sudan established by World Vision. A committee of camp residents and World Vision staff selects and trains local volunteers who assist with reports and inquiries from camp residents. These desks help quickly address distribution issues and are recognized positively by locals. During a discussion session with World Vision staff, an anonymous female refugee said the “community help desk system is the best for food distribution.”

Looking Ahead

These various food aid theft solutions demonstrate multiple ways to address the issue. Ranging from grassroots initiatives to structural and community-based approaches, they show potential for reducing the problem. These measures have contributed to more equitable aid distribution in some areas. Furthermore, they have been positively received by local communities and researchers focused on food aid programs.

– Karol Hejduk

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

Photo: Flickr

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Being Poor in Afghanistan

Being Poor in AfghanistanImagine receiving the only nutritious meal of the day at school, or a mother finally having access to a skilled birth attendant after walking miles to reach a mobile health clinic. For millions of Afghans, these scenarios represent not just hope, but the tangible reality of one of the world’s most successful humanitarian responses.

Being poor in Afghanistan has reached unprecedented levels, with 64.9% of the population now living in multidimensional poverty and 85% surviving on less than one dollar per day. An estimated 15.8 million people face acute food insecurity, while 23.7 million people require humanitarian assistance to survive. Despite these overwhelming challenges and being poor in Afghanistan becoming increasingly widespread, international organizations created an unprecedented network of support that reached 22.4 million Afghans in 2024.

Revolutionary Food Programs Transform Lives

The World Food Programme (WFP) revolutionized food assistance in Afghanistan, reaching 11.8 million people through a groundbreaking approach that stimulates local economies while fighting hunger. Rather than simply distributing food, 42% of the 1.3 million monthly beneficiaries receive cash-based transfers, allowing families to purchase goods from local vendors and inject vital resources directly into Afghan communities.

The program’s school feeding initiative provides children their only nutritious meal each day. School feeding activities create powerful incentives for families to keep children in school with positive impacts on school participation and learning that help break cycles of poverty through education.

Medical Miracles in Remote Regions

Doctors Without Borders pioneered mobile health care solutions, bringing advanced medical care directly to Afghanistan’s most isolated communities. In 2023, the organization performed 15,200 surgical interventions and assisted 45,260 deliveries across nine projects in eight provinces, maintaining 130 to 200% bed occupancy rates due to overwhelming demand.

The organization’s teams extend life-saving medical services to populations who previously had no access to professional care, with very high bed occupancy rates, sometimes with two or even three patients sharing one bed due to overwhelming demand. More than 50% of MSF’s medical staff are women, creating culturally appropriate care that dramatically improved maternal and child health outcomes.

Children’s Health Revolution Shows Dramatic Results

UNICEF achieved remarkable success protecting Afghan children through comprehensive health and education programs. In 2024, humanitarian efforts expanded to treat 2.9 million acutely malnourished children and pregnant women, representing a significant increase from 2.2 million in 2023. The organization vaccinated 704,002 children against measles and treated 272,791 children for severe wasting in the first half of 2024.

Health care access has expanded significantly with 11.6 million people receiving primary health care services by 2023, up from 7.9 million in 2021. This is driven by the increase in humanitarian health facilities from 422 in January 2022 to 908 in December 2023.

International Commitment Drives Innovation

Major international donors maintained their commitment despite global economic challenges. The United States provided $280 million to WFP in 2024 through USAID, enabling the organization to support more than 3 million people with life-saving food assistance. The United Kingdom reached 2,715,000 people with humanitarian assistance, including water and sanitation, food, nutrition, health and cash transfers between April 2024 and March 2025.

The transformation occurring across Afghanistan proves that even in the world’s most challenging environments, coordinated humanitarian action can deliver extraordinary results. Through innovative programming, local partnerships and sustained international commitment, organizations are building foundations for long-term recovery while showing that with creativity, dedication and adequate resources, no community is beyond help. However, severe funding gaps remain, with only 31.4% of the required $3.06 billion received by October 2024.

Despite these challenges, the fact that humanitarian organizations reached 22.4 million people in 2024 demonstrates what is possible when the international community works together to address the crisis of being poor in Afghanistan.

– Jawad Noori

Jawad is based in London, UK, and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Trees That Feed Foundation: The Breadfruit Revolution

Trees That Feed Foundation:Communities across the tropics are proving that breadfruit is more than a promising idea — it is already a vital tool in reducing hunger and building resilience. Once described as a “super tree,” breadfruit is now being cultivated and consumed on a wide scale, turning possibility into reality. From school meal programs in Haiti to women’s cooperatives in Uganda and innovative food businesses in Puerto Rico, breadfruit is reshaping the conversation around global hunger. These stories show how breadfruit food security and breadfruit hunger solution efforts are changing lives today.

Feeding Communities

In Haiti’s Central Plateau, Klinik Sen Jozèf and the Trees That Feed Foundation have integrated breadfruit into school meals and malnutrition programs. Farmers were given saplings to grow their own crops, and breadfruit flour was added to feeding initiatives, directly improving children’s diets and reducing hunger.

Uganda has embraced breadfruit as both a household food and a source of income. Families grow orchards that provide hundreds of fruits per year, enough to feed households and sell in local markets. Entrepreneurs have also begun processing breadfruit into snacks and baked goods, creating jobs and supporting community health. Breadfruit’s role as a consistent harvest makes it a cornerstone of breadfruit food security in East Africa.

In Puerto Rico, breadfruit has become part of the island’s recovery and resilience strategy. After Hurricane Maria devastated traditional crops, breadfruit remained productive The company Amasar now uses the fruit to create pancake and waffle mixes, making breadfruit part of both local diets and the economy. This adaptability shows how breadfruit hunger solution projects provide stability during crises.

Agroforestry and Climate Resilience

In Hawaii, people are restoring breadfruit in traditional groves ‘ulu, where it regenerates degraded soil and supplies food to schools and food banks. In Uganda, farmers are planting breadfruit within agroforestry systems, where it strengthens ecosystems and improves harvests of other crops. Studies also confirm that breadfruit thrives under climate change conditions, with its growing range stable and expanding in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Global Expansion

Governments and NGOs are scaling breadfruit worldwide. The Trees That Feed Foundation and the National Tropical Botanical Garden have distributed tens of thousands of saplings across the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia.

From Haiti’s classrooms to Puerto Rican kitchens and Ugandan farms, breadfruit is proving its value as a sustainable crop that feeds, employs, and restores. What was once talked about as potential is now visible in thriving programs and markets across the tropics.

The world is witnessing the real impact of the breadfruit revolution. With every orchard planted and every new product created, breadfruit hunger solution initiatives are bringing families closer to lasting breadfruit food security worldwide.

– Diane Dunlop

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

Photo: Flickr

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Force For Good Foundation and Nourish The Children Initiative

Nourish The ChildrenThe Skincare industry is often catered towards luxury buyers, utilizing bold, minimalist designs and cutting edge technology. Specifically, NU Skin, a leading global brand with more than $1.7 billion in revenue in 2024, has made an emphasis on philanthropy. With such earnings, NU Skin has formed two philanthropy organizations.

The Force for Good Foundation

The main organization, the Force For Good Foundation, is a comprehensive nonprofit that focuses on improving the quality of life worldwide. Despite working with disaster relief and coastline preservation, the organization focuses on lifting children out of poverty without geographical constraints. Having been active for over 20 years in 50 countries and impacting more than 100,000 children, the Force For Good Foundation has undoubtedly been a leading organization in poverty reduction.

The secondary organization, Nourish the Children, is a for-profit social initiative focusing on combating hunger and malnutrition. Hunger plays a major role in adolescent poverty, causing 3.1 million deaths under the age of 5. Recognizing that at the bare minimum, children need to survive, NU Skin dedicates additional effort through Nourish the Children.

NU Skin’s Impact

NU Skin’s organizations undertook significant projects in Africa. The Force For Good Foundation has three programs in Malawi centered around conservation, sustainability, and access to clean water. The programs include the School of Agriculture for Family Independence (SAFI), Seeds of Hope, and Wells of Hope. SAFI introduces residents to sustainable farming techniques, with an increased yield of 700% after implementation.

The Wells of Hope, which built clean wells in villages each serving 500 people, reduces waterborne illnesses such as dysentery. Paired with Seeds of Hope’s preservation of native vegetation such as the sacred Baobab tree, villages have become increasingly secure and stable.

Food Distribution

In addition to development, Nourish the Children provides direct relief through distributing food to malnourished children in Malawi. NU Skin partners with food manufacturers to create VitaMeal, a nutrient rich vegetarian meal designed for malnourished children. Based on customer’s additional donations when a product is purchased, meals are manufactured and sent to Malawi. As each unit can feed up to 30 children for a month, more than 70,000 children receive food a day.

So far, the impact NU Skin’s Force For Good Foundation has made is monumental. As of 2023, the organization has given more than $3.5 million to advance the missions of the foundation. In the same year, NU Skin chartered 30 grants. Nonprofits need a stable amount of funding to stay afloat. On top of donations, NU Skin is dedicating a share of revenue to fund the foundation demonstrates significant philanthropic commitments and a desire to create value for the impoverished.

Companies such as NU Skin are leaders in promoting philanthropy in a luxurious industry. With noticeable success and impact on impoverished children, other high-end companies may follow suit. After all, a wealthy consumer base holds the most power to transform living conditions in impoverished communities.

– Owen Wu

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

Photo: Flickr

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Forest Sustainability and Poverty Reduction

Forest Sustainability and Poverty Reduction Forests cover nearly one-third of the world’s land mass and serve as an economic lifeline for impoverished and Indigenous communities in developing countries, many of whom live directly in forests. Yet mass deforestation threatens both these communities and the economic sustainability of the land. Recognizing the link between forest sustainability and poverty reduction, the United Nations (U.N.), the World Bank and other organizations have launched revitalization efforts using a “one health” approach.

Forest Dependency

Approximately 40% of the world’s rural poor in developing nations, about 3.27 billion people, live in or within one kilometer of a forest. When the range is expanded to five kilometers, the number rises to 4.17 billion, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). With 80% of the world’s most impoverished people living in rural areas, mostly concentrated in the Global South, the importance of forests to their subsistence is clear, further underscoring the connection between forest sustainability and poverty reduction.

Those who rely on forests in whole or in part to survive via employment or source of income, but most importantly as a food source, are classified as Forest Dependent People (FDP). The majority of FDP live within forests and derive their entire livelihood from them alone, but FDP also includes those that tangentially rely on forests, such as foraging for medicinal plants, harvesting wood or even supplying labor to logging and forestry businesses. 

Indigenous groups often make up FDP communities and their extremely rural proximity limits access to goods and services. This makes them vulnerable to economic, social and health care shocks. Discrimination and marginalization, such as in India and Kenya, or poor infrastructure, as in the Brazilian Amazon, further compound their struggles. 

Forest resources help mitigate these shocks for FDP, however, rampant deforestation and land degradation have only exacerbated their poverty and vulnerability. Because of this, FDPs are a focal point for anti-poverty initiatives, but this has been a double-edged sword. 

Damaging Effects of Standard Poverty Reduction Efforts

There is no question that poverty-reduction initiatives have been successful. According to World Bank figures, poverty has declined in developing countries by more than 65% since 1990. Yet many of these tried-and-true methods end up causing further deforestation, which leaves FDP vulnerable in the long term. 

Many goodwill efforts to alleviate poverty overlook the ingrained benefits of forest sustainability and poverty reduction, instead focusing on agricultural and infrastructural development, which can compound environmental destruction and damage aid efforts long-term. When forests are cleared, the health of the land erodes and water scarcity increases. This harms FDP communities and sets back any potential gains realized through intervention. Crops die without water and disease spreads worsens. Standard practices appear sufficient for the long-term prosperity of FDP. 

The “One Health” Approach

In recent years, the FAO, World Bank and researchers from institutions such as the Notre Dame Poverty Initiative have increasingly observed the connection between forest sustainability and poverty reduction. In this collaborative approach, poverty alleviation must go hand in hand with forest conservation strategies. 

Protected Area Projects make up one facet of sustainability efforts. In Brazil, the World Bank successfully lobbied the government to give protected status to 24 million hectares of forest land, safeguarding access for FDP communities. Furthermore, in Ghana, efforts resulted in the planting of sustainable woodlots to serve as sources of firewood and fuel instead of naturally occurring forests. In Kenya, the Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme allocates degraded plots of forest land to FDP to revitalize through new plantings. 

Research into further symbiotic strategies between forest sustainability and poverty reduction is ongoing. In countries such as India and Peru, researchers from the Pulte Institute for Global Development are evaluating nascent anti-poverty initiatives that also prioritize forest sustainability to isolate those most effective for rollout in other developing nations.

Looking Ahead

Evidence suggests that forest sustainability and poverty reduction are two sides of the same coin. Sustainable forests combat poverty among FDP by providing replenishing food sources, fuel and construction materials and improved community health. With such a large percentage of the world’s extreme poor being FDP or FDP-adjacent, efforts to support the prosperity of the world’s forests are also direct contributions to eventually lifting FDP out of poverty. 

– Nikola Stojkovic

Nikola is based in Villa Park, IL, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Malnutrition in the Philippines with Biofortified Rice

Malnutrition in the PhilippinesIn the Philippines, where rice is a staple food eaten daily by most households, Vitamin A deficiency continues to affect children’s health. This deficiency can lead to blindness, stunted growth and higher rates of illness. To combat this, researchers and development partners are fighting malnutrition in the Philippines with biofortified rice. Also known as Golden Rice, this biofortified variety is rich with Vitamin A. By adding vital nutrients directly into the staple diet, Golden Rice has the potential to improve nutrition for millions of low-income families.

Partnerships Bringing Nutrition to Families

The Philippine Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) leads the rollout of biofortified rice and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), which is based in Los Baños, Laguna [3]. Together, these organisations have spent over a decade developing a variety of rice that not only grows well in local conditions but also delivers meaningful levels of Vitamin A.

Support has also come from global initiatives such as HarvestPlus, part of the CGIAR research partnership, which specialises in promoting biofortified crops [4]. Through training, seed distribution and farmer support, HarvestPlus and its partners are ensuring that Golden Rice reaches the communities most at risk of malnutrition.

Reaching Communities in Need

The first planting of biofortified rice in the Philippines began in 2022 in provinces with the highest rates of Vitamin A deficiency. PhilRice has distributed seed to local farmers and provided training on cultivation, while IRRI has worked alongside government agencies to monitor yields and nutritional outcomes, Reuters reports. The Department of Agriculture has committed to scaling up production nationwide, aiming to integrate Golden Rice into school feeding programmes and rural markets.

For families who cannot afford vegetables, meat or dairy on a regular basis, Golden Rice provides a low-cost way to improve diets and reduce poverty-linked illness. Studies show that just one cup of cooked Golden Rice can provide up to 30–50% of a child’s daily Vitamin A requirement.

A Model for Future Biofortification

Golden Rice is part of a broader movement to use biofortification to combat “hidden hunger.” Alongside Vitamin A-enriched rice, IRRI and HarvestPlus are supporting the development of zinc-biofortified rice and iron-rich crops for the region, Science reports. These innovations aim to strengthen food security and health without requiring major changes to eating habits. The hope is that biofortified crops could quickly become a trusted part of the Filipino diet, helping to reduce child malnutrition across the country.

A Brighter Future for Children

Fighting malnutrition in the Philippines with biofortified rice demonstrates how science and partnerships can deliver solutions to some of the world’s most pressing health challenges. By working together, PhilRice, IRRI, HarvestPlus and the Department of Agriculture are transforming a staple food into a life-saving tool.

As the program expands, millions of Filipino children stand to gain stronger immune systems, better vision and healthier growth. For families living in poverty, biofortified rice in the Philippines represents hope for a healthier future.

– Robert Darke

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

Photo: Flickr

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Lamp Of The Path: Fighting Hunger in Mongolia

hunger in mongoliaHome to around 3.5 million people, Mongolia adopted the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda in 2015. In 2021, the U.N. reported that the Mongolian Government was “stepping up its efforts to achieve food security”. Since then, fighting hunger in Mongolia has gained momentum thanks to government initiatives and grassroots organizations collaborating.

Hunger and Poverty in Mongolia

Malnutrition continues to affect many Mongolians, particularly children. In 2017, 27% of children under 5 were anemic, 21% had iron deficiencies, 70% lacked sufficient vitamin A levels and 90% experienced inadequate vitamin D levels. Household food insecurity affected 65% of households in 2018, with 23% experiencing severe food insecurity. By 2022, one in four Mongolians still experienced moderate to severe food insecurity. In 2023, approximately 213,000 people endured limited food, largely due to dzuds (extreme winter weather) killing livestock, consequently causing significant challenges with food production.

Poverty compounds these challenges.Mongolia’s national poverty rate was 28.4% in 2018, but only 0.5% of citizens lived below the international poverty line. In 2021, 22% of the Mongolian population did not have access to sufficient dietary energy daily, making it challenging to live normal, active lifestyles. As the U.N. emphasized, food insecurity is largely due to economic struggles rather than physical and social access.

Lamp Of The Path

Established in 2003, Lamp of the Path (LOP) is the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition’s (FPMT) social project. The name in itself represents the light of the Buddhist teachings, guiding people on their way to the higher goal of all Mahayana Buddhists – the state of enlightenment. LOP aims to follow in the footsteps of historic Buddha Shakyamuni, who found enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in India, later finding a medicine to cease all types of suffering.

Running for 22 years, LOP has supported some of the most vulnerable people in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. Different food projects are run, providing both immediate food relief and sustainable nutrition, successfully fighting hunger in Mongolia. The project also provides clothing, health checks at home or in their clinic, along with toothbrushes and other essentials – helping in the fight against homelessness and poverty too.

LOP Projects

LOP opened its first project, the Soup Kitchen, in August 2003. In 2019, the kitchen served 14,793 bowls of soup to between 50 and 70 people each day. During winter, volunteers increase output to 60 liters of soup being served between 11 am and 1:30 pm. For many visitors, this remains their only guaranteed hot meal of the day, an essential step in fighting hunger in Mongolia.

In 2022, LOP expanded its reach with the Mobile Kitchen Project. After identifying extreme poverty in nearby areas, volunteers began delivering 20 hot meals to elderly and disabled people, along with fresh fruit and vegetables from the gardens. This often extends to those who simply cannot visit the Soup Kitchen, ensuring inclusivity in fighting hunger in Mongolia.

In the past decade, LOP launched a Vegetable Garden Project that produces fresh vegetables and fruit for both their Soup Kitchen and Mobile Kitchen. The Vegetable Garden supplements meals for vulnerable families and reduces reliance on imported produce. Because of dzuds, LOP grows their fruit and vegetables in summer, focusing on crops that can be preserved for the winter. This Project is a crucial step in fighting hunger in Mongolia year-round.

Conclusion

Lamp Of The Path demonstrates how grassroots organizations can provide both emergency relief and long-term solutions. Through its Soup Kitchen, Mobile Kitchen and Vegetable Garden Projects, LOP directly supports vulnerable communities while reducing poverty and malnutrition. By combining compassion with practical action, the organization continues to play a vital role in fighting hunger in Mongolia and building resilience for the future.

– Rebecca Lamb-Busby

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

Photo: Flickr

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United Nations Pilot Agrifood Initiatives To Combat Famine in Gaza

Combat Famine in Gaza

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is mounting, reaching Phase 5 of famine according to the United Nations’ Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (U.N. IPC). Distrust in aid sites is rising as the Israeli military killed 1,373 Palestinians seeking basic necessities between May 27 and July 31, 2025, alone.

Calls for the blockade to end have led to droves of civilian-led flotillas to end the siege and renew the flow of aid into the region. Aside from this, action taken by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has facilitated the freedom of Gazans to restore their food supply.

Cash-Based Assistance Plan

The FAO has invested in farmers to combat famine in Gaza by monetarily supporting their agricultural practices. The U.N. has successfully supported 200 farmers in the Strip through its pilot initiative. This scalable model can recover some of the population’s food production abilities from the ground.

The FAO covers the costs of the supplies and resources available, many of which are extremely unaffordable due to hyperinflation. By funding farmers to buy costly fertilizers and seeds, agrifood systems can successfully reduce unaffordability by cultivating crops, returning supply to their economy and providing a basis for rebuilding the region.

In addition to the need to enact this model on a larger scale, Palestinians are unable to cultivate land without clearing a significant amount of rubble. As only 4.6% of the land in the Strip was deemed arable by the FAO in March 2025, compared to the 42% usable before 2024, the threat of desertification could severely escalate the issue.

A combination of funding for farmers and funding for removing and disposing of rubble to propagate the land is therefore essential to combating famine in Gaza.

Debris Management Framework

According to an article published by the American Journal of Public Health, bombardment in Gaza has caused environmental degradation and a public health crisis. The debris of fallen buildings has spread asbestos and other contaminants, affecting water, air and soil health. A geospatial assessment from the FAO and United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) maintains that there is little space to “preserve livelihoods” because of the reduction of usable land.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has long guided debris management projects worldwide, providing technical documents to support rapid response during national emergencies. One such document highlights the “UNDP/Gaza rubble removal experience” in 2005, when the agency efficiently established a high-capacity rubble crushing site.

Removing highly contaminated and hazardous materials in accordance with the UNDP framework will help the local people meet environmental standards necessary to prevent toxic soil contamination. In addition to the FAO’s cash-based assistance plan for restoring food production, the UNDP framework can guide the revitalization of soil health to combat famine in Gaza.

Conclusion

The World Bank predicts that Gaza will not recover its gross domestic product (GDP) until 2038 under the current conditions. Simply giving buying power back to Palestinians is not a solution on its own. Ending the blockade now to allow essential supplies, like quality seeds, infrastructure and construction materials, is necessary to restart the agrifood sector and combat famine in Gaza.

– Aliyah Omar

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

Photo: Pexels

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3 Ways USAID Programs in Mali Are Changing Lives

USAID Programs in MaliMali has a complicated relationship with recurring challenges such as climate crisis’ and conflict-driven violence. Whether it be due to the shocks of extreme heat and floods, or the violence from armed forces within different villages, USAID programs in Mali have benefited Malians greatly, with more than a third of the population being in need of humanitarian assistance.

U.S. assistance in Mali has allowed the pursuit for peace and stability; there have been major investments towards the healthcare system, agriculture, education and peacebuilding. Despite the recent cuts made to USAID’s funding, there are still efforts being made to retain relations between the states. USAID’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy for 2022-2026 represents the commitment towards providing humanitarian assistance while aligning with Mali’s national interests and plans. Thus, it is important to highlight the preexisting successes and the progress made due to USAID programs in Mali.

1. Boosting Food Security Through Feed the Future

In Mali, 1.6 million people or 6% of the population suffer due to acute food insecurity. USAID’s Feed the Future program in Mali makes an effort to improve the livelihoods of people improving food security and creates income and food opportunities for Malians, by boosting millet, rice and livestock production. Farmers gain access to improved seeds, livestock care and markets. Furthermore, these programs tackle malnutrition through prevention; investments into Mali’s agricultural systems will open economic opportunities for Malian people, who typically migrate away from the country for work, as there are newfound opportunities in their own nation. This program allows USAID to invest into Mali, allowing them to build themselves from the ground up and become self-sufficient to combat issues with malnutrition and food insecurity, and in the future, they will be able to thrive without foreign intervention.

2. Improving Health

In 2021, more than 60% of Mali’s deaths were due to communicable, maternal or perinatal and nutritional issues. However, this number should ultimately improve due to investments and more attention to the health care system and facilities.

Launched in 2020, and receiving a 16-month extension in 2024, USAID funded the Mali Health Systems Strengthening, Governance and Finance project (HSS) which had the goal of empowering Mali’s plan, management and financing of its own health care system. This project focused on multiple regional and national developments for the health care system, and has provided training for 26 health districts and more than 700 facilities. USAID supported them by also improving supply chain management, data monitoring and providing essential supervision for the improvements being made. By improving the governance of healthcare systems and management, it improves the health outcomes for the region and allows under-resourced regions to thrive on their own. Thus, once there is a transition of power, local organizations will be well equipped.

3. Strengthening Governance and Stability

Due to the challenges with civil conflict, there is often mistrust between local governments and communities. The USAID Mali Peacebuilding, Stabilization and Reconciliation (PSR) Program worked on building resilience of 43 communes so they could address violence and extremism. To build trust between the state and local communes, USAID approached it in a nuanced way to encourage multi-actor participation in commune decisions, the use of citizen voice and inclusive decision making. The PSR program’s training module on decentralization is in use for the national center for community training. Thus, there is more active collaboration between citizens and the state, creating more trust towards the government and improves state legitimacy. 

Looking Ahead

Overall, USAID programs in Mali have provided the funding and opportunities to improve nutrition, health and governance. The programs in place will ideally give Mali the strength and facilities to eventually become self-sufficient and no longer need the foreign intervention from USAID.

Through the Feed The Future program, it creates economic opportunities by creating jobs in agriculture, and it also provides the natural resources to feed the nation. The HSS program provides training and the facilities to allow the healthcare system to thrive. Finally, the PSR program works on improving relations between the government and civilians, which would reduce the mistrust of the government whilst incorporating the civic voice into governmental decisions.

Despite the hardships Mali has been facing, its GDP growth has been steadily increasing; estimates placed it at 4% in 2024 and part of its growth has been due to agriculture and services. USAID programs in Mali have undoubtedly provided several benefits to the country.

– Aaida Nuren

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

Photo: Flickr