Archive for category: Hunger

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The Face of Hunger in Lebanon

Hunger in LebanonHunger in Lebanon is a complex and unstable matter. The food crisis has been evolving from year to year as more and more citizens suffer. There are multiple causes and consequences associated with this situation, although there is no doubt about the potential for improvement. 

The issue of hunger in Lebanon is multifaceted and a variety of factors influence it. According to the World Bank, hunger in Lebanon has begun to worsen, dating back to the severe economic crisis in 2019. During this crisis, the Lebanese pound lost around 90% of its value. Another impactful event was the devastating Beirut Port explosion on August 4, 2020. Reports have shown that 17% of the Lebanese population struggles with food insecurity. Here are five factors that lead to excess hunger.

What are 5 Factors Leading To Excess Hunger?

  1. The continuous increase in living costs is a crucial issue. With the instability of the economic state of Lebanon, food prices continue to rise. This leads to fewer citizens acquiring access to nutritious food.
  2. Displacement is a significant factor in Lebanon. Due to the situation in the southern areas, some people have lost the privilege of owning a habitable house. Therefore, displaced families struggle to acquire access to clean water and housing resources. In addition, this coincides with the economic conflicts, making living costs out of reach due to rising prices.
  3. Despite the ceasefire, the recovery process in agriculture has been slow. Damage to some crops has limited the production of farms. Especially in the south of Lebanon, the high expenses that are required for effective agricultural development led to a decline in the lives of citizens living in rural regions.
  4. The labor market in Lebanon is a complicated matter. Neither the employed nor the unemployed are protected from economic instability. Due to the currency problem, wages are not the most reliable leading to further food insecurity.
  5. The decrease in Humanitarian Food Security Assistance (HFSA) intensified the food security problems. Humanitarian Food Security Assistance played an important role in preserving food security. However, in the past year, the amount of coverage was reduced, which has made the situation worse for Lebanese households.

How are Lebanese People Dealing With Hunger? 

This situation has resulted in fragile households. The vulnerability of food insecurity is prominent due to the multiple factors that have contributed to this increase. In these circumstances, residents had no choice but to reduce the size of their meals or skip meals altogether. Moreover, with the economic collapse, farmers have been greatly affected. They had to decrease their harvest, which caused less production, revenue and ultimately, less food security.

What are Some Organizations That Can Help Improve the Situation? 

Despite the circumstances surrounding hunger in Lebanon, it is not a hopeless matter by any means. On the contrary, there are programs that are providing effective help.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is an organization that has proven useful. In 2024, it provided food supplies and shelter with special attention on displaced people. The World Food Programme (WFP) does this through donations and fundraising efforts. The organization also has future plans to help Lebanese citizens who are victims of conflicts.

Another program is the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which Lebanon joined in 1945. FAO and WFP worked together to create the most recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). With IPC’s results, FAO realized the instability of the rural regions in Lebanon and worked on advancing the situation. FAO, WFP and the Ministry of Agriculture are focusing on new recovery programs to improve the infrastructure of agriculture. FAO aims to raise its emergency as well as resilience assistance in order to support citizens in rural areas.

Looking Ahead

Many factors contribute to the situation of hunger in Lebanon. From the economic issue to the circumstances of displaced people, Lebanon has suffered from food insecurity. Despite these negative conditions, the state of Lebanon is capable of improvement. With the help of impactful organizations such as WFP and FAO, the struggles and challenges associated with hunger are on the road to getting better. 

– Lara Ibrahim

Lara is based in Créteil, France and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Addressing Hunger in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Hunger in the Democratic Republic of CongoRepercussions of the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have reached critical levels. The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that for nearly 27 million Congolese, access to food has become urgently restricted. 

The most recent violence in the eastern region reignited in early 2025, by the M23 rebel group, has roots in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. History between the DRC and Rwanda is long and fraught, punctuated with political violence, rebel insurgence and ethnic genocides. Alongside terrifying figures of M23’s ongoing civilian executions, equally concerning are the statistics that track hunger and poverty in the region, both of which are now rising. Research that the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner (UNHCR) conducted determined that war and conflict in developing regions has direct repercussions for rates of famine and further entrenching poverty. Here is more information about hunger in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

About Hunger in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The DRC currently ranks 121st of 123 in the Global Hunger Index, with more than a third of the population experiencing hunger directly related to undernourishment, stunted growth and child mortality. The World Food Programme deems food insecurity as acute and a threat to life and livelihood. Rates had fallen between 2008 and 2016, but have since increased and continue to rise compared to other countries in the region, which have either maintained or improved on previous years’ data.

More than 6 million Congolese are currently displaced within the country’s borders, meaning they have had to flee their homes due to violence and food insecurity. Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) mapping shows that the situation in 10 separate regions of the DRC has reached critical levels. The north and south-eastern corners of the country are only a few percentage points away from famine. The U.K. National Institute for Health (NIH) says that hunger in developing nations and displacement are directly linked because pre-existing access to food becomes more restricted and increased pressure on food in host regions causes inadequate resource distribution.

At the end of 2025, the Red Cross estimated that hunger levels for as many as 14 million children were critical, and for a further two million, levels were at an emergency status. Hunger in children is among the more dangerous chronic illnesses with potentially life-long repercussions ranging from stunted growth in infancy and childhood to delayed developmental achievement. Data from the NIH suggests that moderately malnourished children may have upper-arm circumferences no larger than that of a small apple whereas those with acute malnutrition can have even smaller upper-arm circumferences. With an additional three months of conflict and displacement, millions more children could be facing “acute malnutrition and a heightened risk of hunger-related death.”

The Impact of Conflict and Weather Changes

Conflict has a disproportionate impact on women and children, for whom consequences are often systemically-entrenched and abiding. According to the UN, social and political decision-making in the region, which has restricted two-thirds of Congolese women from accessing prenatal and postnatal care and vaccinations, compounds such violence. As a result in February 2025, the Women’s International Peace Centre projected that close to four million Congolese women and children would suffer violations of their human rights for as long as peace remains unchartered.

Recent weather events in the region have also impacted reliable access to food for Congolese people. Specifically, conflict in the otherwise arable region of the north-east corner of the DRC have compounded oscillating drought and flooding, creating food insecurity for millions which will likely grow with weather developments. The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs published data in 2023 which confirmed that the pre-existing impact of temperature rises, insufficient preparedness to deal with volatile weather patterns and the pressures of internal displacement had collapsed the agricultural capabilities of the DRC, leaving its citizens hungrier than since records began in the 1990s.

Actions Addressing Hunger in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Congolese government officials and M23 representatives signed a treaty to work towards peace near the Rwandan and Burundi borders in November 2025 in Qatar. The purpose of the Doha Agreement was to establish guidelines for ceasefire commitments, political dialogue and allow humanitarian access under international observation. While the situation in the DRC remains volatile and M23 have yet to meet the agreements in the treaty, one can find some hope in the presence of such multilateral structures that the U.S., French and Qatari governments, as well as the African Union, employs.

Further to ongoing written resolutions, the UN Security Council announced at the end of December 2025 that it would extend its peacekeeping presence in eastern DRC until at least the end of 2026, in what is the third such mission to the DRC in more than 60 years. This includes intervention from the specially trained ‘Force Intervention Brigade’ which specializes in military stabilization. Also, in 2025, the UN Development Program revealed a five-year project to provide institutional and infrastructure support to communities in the DRC’s hungriest regions, undertaken in accordance with five of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Entering their seventh year of presence in the eastern region and 32nd in the DRC, Médecins du Monde have been providing urgent health care interventions to those who conflict and its consequences impacted. This intervention has included more than 11,000 sexual health lessons, food aid to treat malnutrition, especially for children and infants, as well as monitoring widespread measles, cholera and mpox epidemics with the refurbishment of four health care centers in the region. 

Hosting more than 500,000 volunteers across the DRC, in 2026, the Red Cross announced that societies from several European countries would use a combined €8 million in pledged funding to prioritize climate recovery and disaster relief. In 2025 alone, the Red Cross delivered food, shelter and clean water aid to 475,000 people in the DRC, showing that such efforts can substantially alleviate suffering, particularly among vulnerable populations if implemented consistently and at scale. 

Looking Ahead

The NGO Explorer database suggests that as of February 2026, 229 of the 600 U.K.-based humanitarian groups active in the region are explicitly dedicated to combatting hunger in the DRC, more than any other mission. Humanitarian intervention is a lucrative source of change in developing countries because they allow for swift, apolitical and targeted action following crises and disasters in order to promote human rights across the globe. With sustained humanitarian access and coordinated intervention, it is possible that the DRC could make significant progress, provided political and armed actors allow for stability and unimpeded aid delivery to those most in need.

– Hannah Michie

Hannah is based in France and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How LEAF is Addressing Malnutrition in Kenya

Malnutrition in KenyaKenya lies in East Africa and borders the Indian Ocean. It is best known for its diversity, its wildlife conservation efforts, and producing some of the most globally recognizable long-distance runners.

Despite its rich history and diverse population, Kenya faces persistent food insecurity and inadequate access to health care, which disproportionately affect their children. LEAF is addressing malnutrition in Kenya through targeted health and agricultural interventions.

According to UNICEF, more than 25% of children under the age of 5 experience stunted growth. Food insecurity and chronic undernourishment commonly cause this condition. An additional 11% of children are underweight and 4% suffer from severe wasting. These problems lead to an increased prevalence and likelihood of death among the Kenyan children.

Root Causes of the Crisis

Many of these issues are a result of a lack of support in education for families and farmers on malnutrition, and farmers’ limited ability to adapt to natural disasters. Without the necessary support, poverty cycles from one generation to the next, preventing households from reaching their full potential.

To break this cycle, the organization Concern began working with government officials and community leaders to design potential solutions. The organization focused its efforts on Tana River County, Kenya.

Agriculture and pastoralism dominate the region, but extreme weather patterns have severely disrupted livelihoods. Hotter days and less rainfall caused animals and crops to suffer. Clinics reported a sharp rise in child malnutrition, prompting the need for immediate intervention.

The LEAF Initiative

The Lifesaving Education and Assistance to Farmers (LEAF) had two main goals: to ensure pregnant women and malnourished children receive lifesaving treatment in a timely manner and to create systematic change in the livelihoods of people living in poverty to prevent future cases of malnutrition

The LEAF initiative began its approach by prioritizing community outreach to reduce acute malnutrition. Through the funding of the Illinois-based food ingredients company Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), they supported the local health department conducting malnutrition screenings.

The organization used monthly house visits to households with pregnant women and/or children where they referred anyone showing signs of malnutrition to local clinics and educated families on nutritional and health topics. LEAF is addressing malnutrition in Kenya, as it estimated that 82% of the families living in the region in 2021 were able to get monthly screenings by the conclusion of the program.

Building Long-Term Resilience

To ensure the screenings did not remain a temporary solution, Concern implemented the second phase of the program. This phase focused on creating systemic change across multiple villages in Kenya. Concern worked with local farmers to reshape their agricultural methods to adapt to extreme climate conditions. Concern provided drought-tolerant seeds to prevent crop loss and irrigation canals to improve village access to affordable water.

These changes proved life-changing. Halim Diramu Jilu, a farmer in Tana River County, praised the program, saying, “Our lives have changed. We have enough water now.” The program reached 39,704 people. Furthermore, crop loss fell from 60% to less than 20%, reinforcing how LEAF is addressing malnutrition in Kenya by strengthening food security at the community level.

The LEAF initiative offers a strong model for how targeted health interventions can combine with grounded community-level agricultural support to tackle poverty and malnutrition. By combining climate education with immediate nutritional support, Concern helped families build independence and improve long-term outcomes for future generations.

– Sachin Kapoor

Sachin is based in Atlanta, GA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Hunger as a Political Tool: Food Insecurity in the DRC

Food Insecurity in the DRCIn provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, Tanganyika and Ituri, food insecurity in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has become a chronic crisis tied to displacement, conflict and governance breakdown with millions of citizens living on the edge of survival. Instead of it being an outcome of war, food insecurity in DRC is increasingly a political occurrence that is determined by armed conflict, restricted access to land and markets and a dysfunctional governing mechanism that is unable to meet basic needs.

The World Food Program (WFP) states that approximately 26.6 million people in the DRC will deal with acute food insecurity in early 2026, with about 4 million reaching IPC phase 4, which is the second-highest severity level before famine. This is not only a humanitarian crisis but a political and governance crisis. Violence interferes with farming and trade, displacement dismantles entire communities and minimal state protection means the civil population are left to fend for themselves.

Conflict, Displacement and Hunger

Ongoing conflict with the resurgence of the M23 armed group has accelerated this crisis. The renewed hostilities have created waves of displacement. The U.N. reports that about 500,000 people had to flee their homes in South Kivu since the resurgence, many of them now facing utter desperation without having reliable access to food.

Displaced households are typically dependent on unstable markets or humanitarian assistance, both of which are decreasing as insecurity and lack of sufficient funding constrain aid delivery.

Violence also hinders agriculture alone. Fields are untended when farmers flee and local food production stalls under the weight of insecurity. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as well as WFP show that conflict and increasing food prices have forced millions into acute food insecurity, even as access to markets deteriorates and essential goods are now unaffordable. Conflict has cut trade routes, transport is unsafe and families find themselves without food stocks and no income.

Shortages in Funding and Humanitarian Access

Clashes and insecurity also hinder humanitarian access. Airports in Goma and Bukavu have not been operating for several months, delaying aid deliveries to areas hit hardest. However, funding has not kept up with needs. The WFP states it faces a standstill of emergency food assistance in eastern regions without a substantial increase in funds as major donors scale back on budgets and redirect resources elsewhere. This blocks life-saving food distribution to millions who otherwise are unable to feed themselves.

Political Dimensions of Hunger

In this context, food insecurity in DRC begins to function as a political tool. Armed groups exert control over territory as well as resources, determining who has access to food and who goes hungry. Without effective state governance, civilians are at the mercy of whoever controls the territory. This dynamic not only increases suffering but also weakens trust in the Congolese administration’s ability to protect and provide for its citizens.

In addition, hunger fuels further displacement and instability. As rural households no longer have access to farmlands and markets, they have to move to urban settings or across borders, which are typically camps struggling with overdcrowding in dire conditions and resources are scarce. Data from the WFP shows that conflict-induced displacement continues to grow, exacerbating food needs and creating continuous cycles of vulnerability that are difficult to break.

Responses that Work and Their Limits

In spite of the gravity of the crisis, responses rooted in both humanitarian relief and long-term resilience are promising if properly supported and scaled.

Humanitarian agencies like the WFP are applying delivery mechanisms in order to get to isolated areas through food assistance, cash transfers and nutrition programs for children and pregnant women. In 2025, WFP provided millions with food and cash assistance. Although gaps in funding would also mean that the aid is insufficient

The FAO has highlighted the significance of investing in agriculture even in the midst of ongoing conflict. By supporting seed distribution and livestock, FAO will assist households to regain productive capacity once security permits. Resilience programs focus on sustainable livelihoods, which focus on the root causes of food insecurity and not just its symptoms.

Negotiating passage for aid delivery with M23 and other local armed groups can provide access for food to reach civilians in compromised areas where neither the government nor humanitarian personnel can freely enter. Though politically sensitive these negotiation mechanisms have allowed for life-saving assistance in other prolonged conflicts.

Conclusions

Aid operations will continue to struggle without political progress towards peace and improved security. Also, gaps in funding significantly hamper both emergency response and longer-term resilience building. Without new international support, eastern DRC could face a full breakdown of food assistance by early 2026.

However targeted, adaptive interventions can alleviate the worst impacts of hunger, particularly when paired with efforts to restore mobility, production in agriculture and civilian governance. In a conflict where hunger is intertwined with power and displacement, solutions must be humanitarian and political, aiming to safeguard lives now while working towards a more food-secure future.

– Gloria Bwenge

Gloria is based in New York, NY and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Everything To Know About Hunger in Iran

Hunger In IranHunger in Iran has been a significant national and international concern since the early 1900s. Long-term policy failures rooted in historical experiences have shaped the country’s food security challenges. Major famines during the World Wars created a lasting fear of hunger, which led political leaders after the 1979 Revolution to prioritize food self-sufficiency. To achieve this goal, the government introduced heavy subsidies, guaranteed crop prices and high tariffs on food imports to protect domestic agriculture. While these measures increased food production, they distorted markets and failed to keep pace with population growth. Iran continued to rely on imports for key staples such as wheat, rice and corn, leaving the country vulnerable to sanctions and inflation.

Roots of Hunger

According to the 2025 Global Hunger Index (GHI), Iran ranks 40th out of 123 countries, reflecting moderate hunger levels rather than extreme deprivation. Although the number of people experiencing hunger has declined, food security has become increasingly unstable. Western sanctions linked to Iran’s human rights record and nuclear program have worsened this deterioration by restricting food imports and driving unprecedented food inflation. At the same time, reduced rainfall has weakened agricultural production and intensified existing vulnerabilities.

The COVID-19 pandemic further reduced household incomes and increased unemployment, which limited access to affordable food. These economic pressures placed low-income families at particular risk and made it difficult for many households to obtain even basic nutrition.

Environmental mismanagement has also played a major role, particularly poor water governance. Agriculture consumes the majority of Iran’s water resources because the government heavily subsidizes water.

As a result, farmers have little incentive to conserve water and often rely on inefficient irrigation practices that drive excessive water consumption. These policies have pushed Iran into severe water stress and weakened the country’s ability to ensure stable and affordable food supplies.

Consequences of Hunger and Malnutrition

Rising food prices have made nutritious foods such as meat and dairy increasingly unaffordable. Iran’s Deputy Health Minister, Alireza Raisi, has reported that Iranians consume less than half of the recommended levels of meat and dairy.

Malnutrition does not only appear as undernourishment due to nutrient deficiencies; it also appears as abdominal obesity driven by reliance on starchy, low-quality foods. This dietary pattern has fueled rising obesity rates across Iran and increased the risk of cardiovascular disease and other life-threatening illnesses.

Addressing the Crisis

In present-day Iran, hunger involves more than empty plates. Poor-quality diets, declining health and rising rates of diet-related diseases all reflect the depth of the crisis. Hunger persists because existing systems fail to ensure that all Iranians can access nutritious food at affordable prices. Changing weather patterns, ineffective policies, international sanctions, prolonged drought and economic instability continue to intensify the problem.

Despite these challenges, international organizations and nonprofit groups continue to operate programs that address hunger and support vulnerable populations in Iran.

One of the most significant ongoing efforts in Iran comes from the World Food Programme (WFP), which has supported refugees in the country for decades. Iran hosts approximately 3.4 million refugees, many of whom face severe food insecurity. Through school feeding programs and direct food assistance, WFP reduces pressure on the Iranian government and its limited resources. These programs improve food access for refugees and promote integration into host communities through supporting livelihood and income-generating activities that strengthen economic independence among refugee populations.

Smaller-scale nonprofit organizations also play a critical role in addressing hunger at the community level. Moms Against Poverty, for example, has delivered approximately 2.6 million meals as of 2024 to thousands of Iranian children and families experiencing food insecurity.

Even though the hunger in Iran still requires attention, international organizations and nonprofit groups continue to push forward, working toward a future free from hunger.

– Ameena Khan

Ameena is based in Canberra, Australia, and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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The Porridge Mums: Community-Led Hunger Relief in Nigeria

The Porridge MumsIn Borno State, Nigeria, hot meals are provided to women not only to make them feel cared for but also to address food scarcity. The Porridge Mums is the name of this program, which provides community-led hunger relief for mothers and children in Nigeria. It is made up of mothers who provide meals not only to postpartum mothers, but also to pregnant and lactating women and children under 5.

With the support of Action Against Hunger, groups of Porridge Mums work in units across Africa. They operate in areas where nutrition is particularly scarce, with a mission to provide women and children with a single daily meal of porridge.

Food Scarcity in Borno State and Response

Borno State, Nigeria, has been particularly vulnerable since 2009 as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency. Because of the resulting insecurity, Borno has one of the highest numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country. In addition to this large displaced population, Borno State also faces severe food insecurity.

According to the World Food Program (WFP), 5.8 million Nigerians living in Borno and two other states face food insecurity in 2026. This is why community-led hunger relief programs for mothers and children in Nigeria, such as the Porridge Mums, are so important. Groups like the Porridge Mums are vital to survival amid the food insecurity that comes with conflict.

Impact of USAID Budget Cuts

While many people recognize the importance of feeding vulnerable populations, grassroots groups like the Porridge Mums sometimes fall through the cracks of the system. Because the Porridge Mums rely on funding from Action Against Hunger, any USAID budget cuts can directly affect the availability of meals for mothers and young children in Nigeria. 

Action Against Hunger is a global charity run by a larger organization called Global Impact. Global Impact is a “trusted philanthropy advisor” to several nonprofits. 

Funding for Action Against Hunger is vital to the Porridge Mums and other community-led hunger relief programs for mothers and children in Nigeria. While these efforts are grassroots, scaling and implementation require some capital to succeed. Funding enables the mothers who run these operations to purchase ingredients, secure facilities for meal preparation and manage the logistics needed to deliver food to those in need of sustenance and comfort.

The Future

It can sometimes feel unnecessary to explain the need for nutrition relief programs. However, many of these programs benefit from outside funding, even if it is not widely advertised. For instance, for the Porridge Mums to provide hot meals across Borno State, there needs to be sufficient usable kitchen space and transportation.

While the mothers may theoretically have these resources, they may not have enough resources to scale the program in a meaningful way. This means they either would not be able to provide daily meals or the reach wouldn’t be very far. The good news is that the Porridge Mums are still operating, even with USAID cuts. The less encouraging news is that the hunger crisis in Borno, Nigeria, is not reducing.

With resources becoming more limited, this presents a challenge. Fortunately, restoring funding for these women and children is not a futile effort.

– Nicole Miller

Nicole is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Quick Facts About Hunger and Poverty in Honduras

poverty in HondurasHonduras is a country located in Central America. Home to remarkable landscapes and Mayan remains, it also has an important role in world trade. Honduras is a main provider of coffee, palm oil and bananas. However, even with this, Hondurans still suffer from food insecurity.

What is Food Insecurity?

Food insecurity is a lack of access to vital food sources. This threat heightens illnesses and harm to people’s lives. This can lead to: desperation, disease and death. Families facing this are forced to make an income through selling possessions or skipping meals, as they are desperate to earn a living.

This is traced back to the problem of poverty, which deeply affects the developing countries and the people living there. The hunger crisis is an unfortunate consequence of this.

In Honduras, 63% of the population lives in poverty, which affects the most vulnerable members of society, like children. Children’s health, well-being and education are negatively affected. Eventually, this causes a reduced quality of life for the people of Honduras.

Natural Disasters and Weather Conditions

Honduras’s hunger crisis is a result of natural disasters and destructive weather conditions, like drought, which have harmed farms, increasing the chances of burning the land. Not only a crucial food source, but a hotspot for coffee production, which causes an economic decline. More than 100,000 families rely on the coffee trade as an income, showing the importance of agriculture.

Located in the Dry Corridor, the area is prone to dry spells, making food more difficult to grow and reducing the amount available to the people. With the lack of harvests, some families have to migrate to survive these harsh conditions.

Another part of the hunger crisis is linked with the extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes. From people fleeing their homes to safety, it has negative effects on lives, not just food sources. In 2024, the hurricane season doubled the expected rainfall. This is bad because it can flood food sources and wash them away. Primarily, this affected the southern and western areas, therefore increasing the possibility of emergency food insecurity.

Malnutrition and Undernourishment

Malnutrition is a prevalent issue in Honduras. Indeed, one in four children under the age of 5 struggles with chronic malnutrition, according to the World Food Program (WFP). This is a severe issue, as it stunts growth. This takes place when a diet does not have enough healthy nutrients. On the other hand, obesity is unfortunately increasing with younger women. Therefore, this shows the issue of food access, as not enough Hondurans are able to have a healthy diet.

In 2024, 20.4%  people in Honduras suffered from undernourishment. Rural areas of Honduras are particularly affected, as they face more poverty and starvation. This is because food insecurity is increased by the lack of opportunities for employment and access to standard services. Challenges make it harder for people like: farmers, women and people with medical conditions to access balanced diets.

The people of Honduras are in great need of fundamental food. More than 25% of Hondurans are relying on humanitarian assistance for survival. This takes place by action groups providing help by giving: medical care, food and water.

Lack of Awareness

Honduras was the least funded country in 2023, meaning that the lack of awareness about the daily threats is huge, with violence being one of the examples.

In 2022, there was an average of 253 homicides monthly, translating to 31% of homicides for every 100,000 people.

Fortunately, this has been decreasing yearly, but sexual violence and abuse have remained an issue in society. This has impacted many lives in Honduras.

Solutions

Certainly, Honduras faces many setbacks like hunger, poverty and extreme weather conditions, but this has not stop the country from making progress.

According to the National Institute of Statistics, poverty reduced in Honduras from 73.6% to 60.1%. For extreme poverty, it had reduced from 53.7% to 38.3%. Also, the population above the poverty line has expanded, therefore highlighting improvements in standards of living.

Employment and job opportunities have also increased. From 4.2 million people now working, the unemployment rate has decreased to 4.9%. All of these factors help the country to flourish economically. Even with substantial challenges, Honduras is beginning to develop and transform into a successful country.

– Daisy Sheena

Daisy is based in Manchester, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Everything To Know About Hunger in Rwanda

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

The State of Food Security in Rwanda

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

Root Causes of Hunger

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

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

Who Is Most Affected?

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

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

Government and Policy Responses

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

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

International Support and Challenges

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

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

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

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

– Sara Aboulela

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

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Solar-Powered Fridges are Fighting Hunger in India

Fighting Hunger in IndiaFood loss and waste drive hunger and poverty across the world. Each year, people lose or waste 1.3 billion tons of food, reducing incomes and leaving families without reliable nutrition. India illustrates this crisis clearly. In 2019, India lost or wasted 56 million tons of food worth about $10 billion, largely because producers lacked cold storage.

Perishable foods such as milk, fruits, vegetables, meat and fish spoil quickly without temperature control. Developing countries lose 23% of perishable foods before they reach markets. These losses reduce farmer incomes and restrict access to nutritious food, especially in rural areas.

Amid these challenges, solar-powered fridges are fighting hunger in India. By providing reliable, off-grid cooling, they help farmers preserve perishable crops, maintain income streams and reduce food waste. These fridges also support health and nutrition by safely storing vaccines, medicines and dairy products while lowering dependence on polluting diesel generators and unreliable electricity grids.

What Is a Solar-Powered Fridge?

Cold storage plays a central role in reducing food loss, but traditional refrigeration creates serious risks. Conventional systems rely on fossil-fuel electricity and refrigerants such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which trap heat far more effectively than carbon dioxide.

Exporting these systems to low-income regions would lock communities into carbon-intensive infrastructure. Solar-powered refrigeration offers a different path. These systems run on renewable energy and avoid dependence on unreliable grids or diesel generators. In India, where power cuts remain common, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, solar refrigerators provide consistent cooling for food, medicine and vaccines. As a result, solar-powered fridges are fighting hunger in India directly.

Real-Life Impact

In northeastern India, farmer Lalmuankimi Bawitlung experienced the impact firsthand. Rising heat forced her to discard about one-third of her 350-kilogram annual orange harvest after fruit ripened too quickly to sell. In January, the state installed a 10-ton solar-powered cold storage unit in the nearby village of Khawzawl.

The Mizoram Science Technology & Innovation Council worked with Inficold to build the facility, which now serves about 235 farmers. The system uses solar-powered ice battery technology that stores thermal energy and keeps produce cool for months. Lalmuankimi stored oranges until the off-season and sold them for five times the usual price, turning losses into income.

India already has more than 8,200 cold storage facilities, but most rely on the electricity grid. High energy costs and frequent outages force farmers to use diesel generators or abandon cold storage altogether. Solar-powered units address both problems. They reduce operating costs and continue working during power cuts, which often follow floods, landslides or heat waves.

Solar-Powered Fridges Supporting Health

Solar refrigeration also supports health and nutrition. Refrigerators allow households to store food longer and reduce trips to markets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, off-grid refrigerators helped families limit exposure while protecting food supplies. In an Indian pilot, 70% of solar refrigerator customers reported monthly profit increases of about $57 by selling cold beverages and dairy products from home-based businesses.

Health systems also depend on refrigeration. Clinics require cold storage for vaccines, blood, insulin and other temperature-sensitive medicines. Millions of children missed routine immunizations before the pandemic, largely because health facilities lacked reliable cooling. Delivering COVID-19 vaccines to 60%–70% of the world’s population requires a massive expansion of cold chain infrastructure, especially in poorly electrified areas. Solar-powered refrigerators provide a practical solution.

Looking Ahead

Solar-powered fridges are already transforming rural communities by keeping food fresh, protecting incomes and strengthening health systems. Across India, these systems reduce food loss, expand access to nutritious products and create opportunities for women and small-scale farmers. By cutting reliance on polluting energy sources, they also contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future. Solar-powered fridges are fighting hunger in India by offering a practical, scalable solution that improves lives village by village.

– Mollie Skogen

Mollie is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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What to Know About Hunger in Vietnam

hunger in vietnamThe Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a southeastern Asian country with a coastline of over 2,000 miles on three different bodies of water—the Gulf of Thailand, the Gulf of Tonkin, and the South China Sea. A long, narrow country, its almost 3,000-mile land borders are shared with Cambodia, China and Laos. Vietnam’s 105.8 million population, considered to be one of the highest population densities in the world, is 39.5% urban, distributed in several clusters, with the largest concentration in the north. 

Hunger, Nutrition and Food Security in Vietnam

The Global Hunger Index classifies hunger in Vietnam as moderate, with a rank of 56 out of 127 countries. Its most serious issue is children under 5 stunted (19.5%), with child wasting (4.7%), child mortality (2%) and undernourished population (5.2%) all considered to be low. The country’s overall GHI score has been more than halved since 2000, with undernourishment dropping from 42.5% to 19.5%. 

Of the 13 global nutrition targets, Vietnam is “off course” for eight, and has shown no progress or is worsening in anemia among women of childbearing age. It has made only “some progress” with childhood stunting, childhood wasting, low birthweight and exclusive breastfeeding. The country has implemented national food and NCD (noncommunicable disease) policies in six of the ten recommended areas and has included specific nutrition targets in almost all related national policy areas.

Given the country’s moderate level of hunger, it is not surprising that it ranks above average (67.9:100) in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), a 113-country comparison of food security (2022). Its highest (best) ranks are for affordability, availability and quality and safety. It is weakest in sustainability and adaptation. Its greatest weakness in sustainability is water, which includes access to safe drinking water and agricultural water supply and quality. It also gets a lower rating for political commitment to adaptation. 

Addressing Hunger in Vietnam

In March 2023, the year following the 2022 GFSI report highlighting Vietnam’s need to address sustainability, Vietnam approved the National Action Plan on Food Systems Transformation toward Transparency, Responsibility and Sustainability in Vietnam by 2030. This plan is being implemented by Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and identifies programs and missions with 16 specific targets to achieve by 2030, including:

  • Decreasing severe and moderate food insecurity
  • Maintaining food export turnover
  • Reducing children’s stunting, malnutrition and underweight malnutrition
  • Reducing overweight and obesity
  • Increasing the area of agricultural land for organic production, as well as the amount of organic fertilizer used in agricultural production
  • Increasing the application of advanced and water-saving irrigation methods
  • Reducing post-harvest losses of products
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the food systems

Global Food Donation Policy Atlas

In September 2024, Harvard Law School’s Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC), in collaboration with the Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) and Foodbank Vietnam (FBVN), conducted research that outlined steps to build on Vietnam’s national food systems plan. Vietnam was noted as a pioneer in food recovery and redistribution, with local innovation and successes providing the basis to “reduce food waste, boost food donation, feed people who are hungry, and curb environmental damage.” 

A significant outcome of this collaboration was the Global Food Donation Policy Atlas, with recommendations to expand food donations. The atlas includes an interactive tool that enables the comparison of country policies for the 25 participating countries plus the European Union. FBVN chairman Nguyen Tuan Khoi describes the Atlas as part of the foodbank’s mission and sees it as contributing “to reducing food waste, and [ensuring] timely, safe and high-quality nutritional food supplies, especially in times of disaster and pandemic response.” GFN has made the map, legal guidelines, policy recommendations and country summaries available on its website. 

Sustainable Food Security at Home and Globally

Vietnam’s commitment to its own food security and to making environmental sustainability a part of that security has thus allowed it to play a role in modeling similar activities for other developing countries.

– Staff Reports

Photo: Pixabay