Archive for category: Food & Hunger

Information and stories on food.

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Famine in Sudan: WFP, FAO and UNICEF Are Providing Vital Aid

Famine in SudanFamine in Sudan is currently one of the worst hunger crises in its history, with 25.6 million people subject to extreme food insecurity. The situation results from conflicts between parties, as war persists for months without respite. Violent attacks, looting and the destruction of infrastructure are widespread. This leads to interrupted agriculture, transportation of goods and food shortages, driving the price of food up by 83%.

In a recent United Nations (U.N.) report, Edem Mosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy in the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, calls this a reality coming out of a “nightmare.” She reveals the gravity of the situation, with 90% of the population sitting at an advanced stage of food insecurity, trapped in areas that are out of reach of humanitarian agencies.

Famine has already gripped the entire northern region of Darfur and 13 other areas are at high risk of facing the same fate. Sudan’s dire situation requires immediate assistance, making humanitarian aid and initiatives essential for providing crucial support.

Famine in Sudan and WFP Action 

The World Food Programme (WFP) has responded rapidly and effectively to the Sudan emergency. It supports community kitchens around Khartoum in partnership with local organizations, aiming to provide 100,000 hot meals per month. Additionally, WFP’s strategy includes using an “Emergency Telecommunications Cluster” to protect vital communication and establish United Nations Humanitarian Air Services. This successful project connects Sudan to Amman and Nairobi. It has already transported 18.5 metric tons of cargo in the latter half of 2023. WFP is also implementing an emergency wheat production project in areas such as Kassala and Gezira to encourage long-term resilience.

FAO and UNICEF

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also aid Sudan. FAO’s project is closely aimed at supporting farmers and their agriculture and improving the situation through this approach. This involves the distribution of seeds; the U.N. organization has already purchased 8,000 tonnes of millet and sorghum cereal seeds and aims to reach 1.8 million farming families this year.

On the other hand, UNICEF has focused on evaluating and supporting children suffering from severe malnutrition. This effort has included vaccinating 500,000 children and providing more than five million people with clean water. To support education, UNICEF works closely with mothers, offering financial assistance to 350,000 pregnant and lactating women and their families. It is also making efforts to protect vulnerable children from violence, separation and trauma.

Final Note

As long as conflict persists in Sudan, the hunger crisis continues. Predictions from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification indicate that the situation could lead to severe health issues, including the spread of infectious diseases and increased infant mortality. The humanitarian aid provided by WFP, FAO and UNICEF offers hope for Sudan’s future. However, it also underscores that the situation is far from stable and ongoing assistance remains crucial.

– Grace Sammartini

Grace is based in Rome, Italy and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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TebuTebu: Changing Lives With Peanut Butter

TebuTebuEdith Ndebele, a single mother from Zimbabwe, has changed her life using peanut butter. Using a metal drum in a junkyard in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, Ndebele has been producing peanut butter for her local community to support herself and her children and has since gone on to start her own company, TebuTebu Enterprises.

Why Is Peanut Butter the Answer?

As has been discovered, peanut butter can be used as a powerful weapon against global hunger, a strategy already implemented successfully in Malawi. Dr. Mark Manary recognized this potential and put his theory to the test. He observed a 95% success rate among his patients by feeding starving children fortified peanut butter. Peanut butter does not require cooking or refrigeration, is easy to transport and has a much longer shelf life than other foods for treating starvation. It is calorically dense, contains zinc and protein and is easy to digest.

Doctors even believe that allergies will not be an issue if children are exposed to peanuts at an early age. These factors present an irrefutably convincing case for the potential of peanut butter in the struggle against starvation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized this potential and declared it a valuable treatment for malnutrition.

TebuTebu Enterprises

In 2021, amid the COVID pandemic, Ndebele was a single mother struggling to support her children. By 2024, she will own her own company and serve as the chair of a group of female entrepreneurs. She transformed her life using peanut butter. To improve her children’s lives, she began grinding and roasting peanuts to produce peanut butter to sell to her community.

Using a metal drum heated by firewood, she perfected her recipe. She can now produce peanut butter just the way her customers like it. Her product is available in various-sized containers. Ndebele carefully selects ingredients to maximize quality; she chooses the best peanuts to retain the iconic golden color.

TebuTebu Enterprises (named after her youngest son Teboho) also produces detergent due to her peanut butter success, providing the family with a steady income thanks to Ndebele’s efforts. The World Food Programme (WFP) noticed Ndebele’s innovation and donated a new roasting drum, allowing her to streamline production by cutting cooking time in half, saving both time and firewood. Not only has she turned her own life around, but she is also providing her community with a substance that has been proven to curb starvation.

In urban areas in Zimbabwe, only 10.4% of children receive the minimum nutrition they need, making Ndebele’s operation all the more critical.

The Problem of El Niño

El Niño, caused by the routine warming of the eastern Pacific Ocean, occurs once every seven years. It hit Zimbabwe and surrounding countries halfway through 2023, impacting rain cycles and prompting the governments of Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia to declare a national emergency. Like many, Ndebele has been affected by this phenomenon.

The lack of rainfall has created hardships for farmers, impacting peanut production. As a result, Ndebele has had to import peanuts from Zambia, leading to higher prices due to rising costs. Financial difficulties have forced her to reduce her workforce, letting go of one employee. Despite these challenges, Ndebele remains committed to improving her community’s lives and securing a better future for her children.

Summary

Despite the challenges posed by El Niño, Ndebele’s peanut butter production has been vastly beneficial for all parties involved. She has supported her children, lifted them out of poverty and provided her customers with a product that has been crucial in delivering vital nutrients. With the help of the WFP, Ndebele has changed her life and positively impacted her community using peanut butter.

– Molly Ralph

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

Photo: Flickr

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World Food Program Boosts Operations to Provide Food in Sudan

Food in SudanSudan is one of Africa’s poorest and most war-torn nations. When South Sudan seceded in 2011, Sudan lost a majority of its oil revenue, causing high rates of inflation and bringing the poverty rate to 51.07%. In April of 2023, a civil war between two factions of the nation’s military began. The war created the world’s worst displacement crisis to go along with one of the world’s worst hunger crises. Of its population of 48.1 million people, more than 25.6 million people face extreme hunger. Fourteen areas in nine states throughout Sudan have recently been declared at risk of famine. With more than 5 million people on the verge of starvation, the World Food Program (WFP) is urgently seeking support for the nation.

World Food Program in Sudan

WFP has been working in Sudan since 1963. Through the years, it has become “the logistics backbone of humanitarian response” throughout the country. By providing food to communities and internally displaced people, treating malnutrition for young children and providing farmers with agricultural training, WFP has helped Sudan avoid a hunger catastrophe. Despite these efforts, the escalating conflict has strained resources and complicated distribution efforts, resulting in famine in the country.

As the threat of famine continues to grow, WFP is rapidly expanding its emergency food and nutrition services. The nonprofit organization is scaling up to provide food and nutrition for five million people in Sudan by the end of 2024. Along with food and nutrition assistance, WFP will provide more than $1.2 million in cash to families in 12 Sudanese states. This cash injection aims to stimulate local economies by boosting farmers and markets, enabling communities to increase food production independently and reduce their reliance on external aid.

WFP’s comprehensive approach in Sudan not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters long-term resilience among affected communities. By supporting local agriculture and economies, WFP helps create sustainable solutions that empower Sudanese families to rebuild their lives and improve their self-sufficiency. This dual focus on urgent aid and structural support is crucial in stabilizing the region and mitigating the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The Future

Since the war started in April 2023, WFP has assisted more than 6.7 million people across 18 states. As fighting continues, regions such as Khartoum, Gezira and others are at high risk of falling into famine if they do not receive assistance as soon as possible. The United Nations (U.N.) has identified two million people across 40 hotspots who are in desperate need of food and nutrition services. The program is in urgent need of $200 million to continue delivering assistance to the Sudanese for the rest of 2024. Without immediate financial support, the crisis could deepen, leading to even more severe humanitarian consequences and potentially unmanageable levels of suffering.

– Nicolas Mezzaucella

Nicolas is based in New Rochelle, NY, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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3 Organizations Fighting World Hunger

Organizations Fighting World HungerGlobally, approximately one in 10 people go to bed hungry each night and nearly 3 billion cannot afford a healthy, nutritious diet. Numerous organizations around the world dedicate significant effort to solving this issue, aiming for a future where no one faces hunger. Here are three organizations fighting world hunger.

The Hunger Project

The Hunger Project, operating in Africa, Asia and Latin America, employs a three-point strategy to combat world hunger. Initially, the organization empowers women by providing resources, information and personal freedoms, recognizing that regions with more autonomous women often see higher education rates, improved health and increased agricultural productivity. Subsequently, The initiative equips all community members with essential skills to enhance local opportunities, offering training in literacy, numeracy, healthy eating and local laws. This empowers individuals to lead healthy, successful lives and ensures their voices are influential in governance. The final phase involves workshops that encourage community members to propose improvements for their area and assign specific tasks to realize these visions, fostering a sense of self-efficacy and ongoing advocacy. This approach has notably reduced severe hunger by 25% in the regions where The Hunger Project operates.

Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger actively combats global hunger, operating in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. This organization collaborates closely with members of the British Parliament and influential organizations to address the impact of conflict on food security. Between July 2023 and January 2024, Action Against Hunger engaged in strategic discussions with United Nations agencies and government representatives to explore solutions to hunger exacerbated by conflict and identify obstacles to implementing these solutions. In Jan. 2024, the organization participated in discussions with the International Development Committee about the United Kingdom’s efforts to combat world hunger. Additionally, in May 2024, it joined a debate in the House of Lords focusing on food insecurity due to conflict. Beyond advocacy, Action Against Hunger also implements direct interventions, exemplified by its volunteers in Gaza who delivered essential nutrients to 13,000 mothers and babies.

CARE International

CARE International, operating across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East, employs a five-step strategy to combat world hunger. This strategy includes maintaining healthy ecosystems and securing financial stability, enhancing farmer productivity to increase food availability, ensuring that all community members, particularly marginalized groups and women, have necessary rights and opportunities and equipping communities with the tools to withstand challenges like extreme weather. This holistic approach aims to significantly improve lives. As of 2023, CARE has aided 34 million people through 647 projects targeting world hunger and aims to reach 75 million people by 2030.

Looking Ahead

The fight against global hunger involves concerted efforts from numerous organizations, each playing a vital role in addressing food insecurity. The Hunger Project has made significant strides by empowering women and communities to foster local development and reduce severe hunger. Action Against Hunger collaborates with governments and international bodies to address the impacts of conflict on food security, while CARE International employs a comprehensive strategy to enhance farmer productivity and community resilience. Together, these organizations are fighting world hunger and aiming to create a future where everyone has access to a nutritious diet.

– Sue-Joyce Headon

Sue-Joyce is based in Liverpool, UK and focuses on Good News and Celebs 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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Food Systems in Myanmar

Food in MyanmarMyanmar continues to face severe food insecurity exacerbated by the 2021 coup, economic slowdown and natural disasters. Some pre-existing challenges have worsened, and the ongoing conflict and climate-related challenges have intensified the situation. Recent reports highlight soaring food prices and limited supplies. In response, UN agencies and the World Food Programme have provided crucial aid. Despite efforts, the crisis persists, demanding sustained international support for food systems in Myanmar.

Food Scarcity

Food scarcity is not new in Myanmar. Before the 2021 coup, 2.8 million people were considered food insecure in the country. In pre-pandemic Myanmar, the World Food Programme estimated that 4% of the country had poor food consumption, and an additional 21% were on the borderline. By April 2021, on the heels of the coup and economic slowdown, up to 3.4 million extra people were facing food insecurity.

There are several key factors driving food insecurity, as predicted by the World Food Programme in 2021:

  • Job losses: WFP assumes a more considerable loss in sectors worked by those in poverty. It was predicted that stalled foreign investment, protests, and strikes would significantly impact food insecurity for workers and their dependents.
  • Remittance losses: With the halting of services from most banks, remittance also halted. In 2021, remittances made up a significant amount of income.
  • Challenges to agriculture: The rippling effect of agriculture is palpable, with many unable to prepare for the upcoming crop season.
  • Economic concerns: WFP flagged major economic concerns from the downturn in foreign investment and predicted economic recession.

Conflict and Food Systems in Myanmar

Since 2021, Myanmar has endured ongoing conflict, climate-related blows such as Cyclone Mocha, and unprecedented flooding in October 2023, alongside the political crisis, exacerbating pre-existing poverty. The UN Humanitarian Needs Overview in 2022 estimated that “14 out of 15 states and regions [were] within the critical threshold for acute malnutrition.”

In an April 2024 update from OCHA, food insecurity was underlined as a significant concern. Ongoing fighting between the Myanmar Armed Forces and the Arakan Army combined with a deepening humanitarian crisis have caused soaring food prices and “limited market supplies in many locations.”

The UN and WFP have implemented crucial aid amid this increasing food insecurity crisis. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations provided 4,700 vulnerable farming households with emergency assistance by April 2022. Additionally, The FOA trained 1759 households in Chaungzon township in agriculture practices and provided fertilizer.

Severe floods, economic turmoil and food insecurity impacted U Ohn Myint, a 65-year-old smallholder farmer in Kalawt Kanai village. With the help of the UN FAO, he bought medicine, a rice bag, and cooking oil to address his and his family’s immediate hunger needs. He was also able to restore his livelihood and hope.

Food Assistance

The World Food Programme continues efforts, providing monthly assistance to 360,000 people in border areas who have been displaced. For thousands of people, the WFP has also launched emergency food and nutrition programs in harder-to-reach locations like Kayah State, Shan State and Bago Region. 

Despite the daunting challenges, international efforts offer hope for Myanmar’s food insecurity. Vulnerable communities receive vital aid through emergency assistance, training programs, and ongoing support. As seen through U Ohn Myint, livelihoods and renewed hope exemplify the impact of these efforts. While the road ahead remains challenging, these efforts demonstrate the power of solidarity and the effect of global action on complex humanitarian crises. 

– Lydia Young 

Lydia is based in Glasgow, Scotland and focuses on Global Health and World News 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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How ShelterBox is Aiding Nigeria 

aiding NigeriaWith a population of almost 220 million people, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the world’s sixth most populous country. Nigeria has been facing growing instability and fear due to Boko Haram’s mutiny against the Nigerian government since 2009, particularly targeting the northeast and committing large-scale acts of violence. More than 2.9 million Nigerians have no choice but to flee their homes to seek refuge in neighboring countries, leaving behind crops and vital necessities for survival. Ultimately, this has resulted in a humanitarian crisis as many Nigerians move into poorer regions and refugee camps where food, water and shelter are dangerously limited.

However, since 2018 ShelterBox has been aiding Nigeria by saving and protecting the lives of thousands affected by Boko Haram, as well as providing general support as a result of climate-driven scarcity worsened by conflict in the Lake Chad Basin.

Improving Food and Water Insecurity

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Nigeria faces a humanitarian emergency. More than 8.3 million Nigerians require emergency assistance, 80% of whom are women and children. Around 314,000 Nigerians have died from food insecurity due to the decline of agricultural production, which is a major catalyst affecting public health in Nigeria and has been worsened by conflict in the Lake Chad Basin, flooding and extreme weather. This has resulted in the displacement of 3.2 million and leaves 10.6 million Nigerians in need of humanitarian assistance as the majority of the Lake Chad population depends on agriculture, livestock, fishing and manual labor for survival, according to Refugee International.

ShelterBox and their partner ACTED are aiding Nigeria by providing lifesaving items such as kitchen sets, water containers and purification equipment to reduce food and water insecurity, enabling Nigerians to rebuild their lives, according to its website. Because of the effects of flooding, extreme weather and military-enforced movements, Nigerians are prevented from effectively growing and harvesting crops to support their livelihood. However, by providing kitchen sets, water containers and purification equipment, food and water insecurity is decreasing as ShelterBox and ACTED have successfully helped over 7,300 families from 2018 to 2022, according to its website. Additionally, water purification equipment has enabled Nigerians to access safe and clean water, significantly reducing the chances of disease from dirty water.

Providing Shelter and Security

With no choice but to flee their homes in search of safety away from conflict and food insecurity, more than 2 million Nigerians remain displaced from homes in the northeast of Nigeria, as of 2019. Thousands have no choice but to live in overcrowded displacement sites which are significantly below international minimum standards. Although some Nigerians choose to build improvised shelters with sticks and ripped fabric, it does not provide efficient shelter from extreme weather and provides no privacy or security, making women and children in particular even more susceptible to intrusions and attacks.

There are 9.7 million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in the Lake Chad region, according to ShelterBox. In partnership with other charities, ShelterBox has been aiding Nigeria by providing tents, shelter kits, rope, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, solar lights, blankets and other lifesaving necessities to increase the security and health of Nigerians amid the humanitarian crisis.

From 2018 to 2022 in partnership with IEDA, ShelterBox has been successfully aiding more than 100,000 refugees and displaced Nigerians. Additionally, ShelterBox has provided a type of shelter known as the Bama shelter to more than 30,000 Nigerians in the epicenter of the crisis in partnership with ACTED.

The Bama shelter is large enough for a family of five; it has a timber-framed structure with tarpaulin material for the wall and the roofing structure, ShelterBox reports. Windows provide natural sunlight and ventilation and for extra safety, the shelter has a secure lockable door to prevent intrusions and attacks. ShelterBox also provides sleeping mats, blankets and mosquito nets, allowing Nigerians to start again with a safe and comfortable lifestyle.

Aiding Nigeria Through the Crisis

After many years of instability, ShelterBox and other charities have worked tirelessly to aid Nigerians through the humanitarian crisis which remains an ongoing issue after ten years since the conflict began. Overall, Boko Haram seems to be at its final stages of conflict, however, aiding Nigeria remains vital. Other factors such as extreme weather patterns and flooding have resulted in food and water instability amongst Nigerian communities which continues to worsen as years go by.

– Emily Whatley
Photo: Flickr