Archive for category: Hunger

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Hunger in Kericho: Nishkam Projects’ Feeding Program

Tackling Hunger in Kericho: Lessons from Nishkam Projects’ Feeding Programme For a young child in Kericho, Kenya, tackling hunger can make the difference between success and opportunity within the education system or being trapped in a cycle of poverty. For many, days start without breakfast and school meals may be their only meal in a day, highlighting the urgent need for these meals to be fulfilling and regular. Without this, learning becomes more difficult, attendance dips and concentration wanes, reinforcing cycles of disadvantage that children themselves have no power to escape.

This systemic challenge is reflected in recent regional data. Kenya’s regions of Kericho and Tharaka Nithi experienced sharp increases in poverty from 2021 to 2022 and the figures have been slowly climbing since. Poverty in Kericho County increased from 39.8% in 2021 to 47.8% in 2022.

Time and time again, a pattern emerges where children are frequently the first to suffer the consequences of this economic instability.

The Importance of School Meals

Simply put, school meals can hold the key to unlocking a truly accomplished education and a pathway out of poverty. School meal programmes protect households from hunger and mitigate the effects of rising food costs by offering a consistent supply of food at no cost to families, saving 10–20% of their yearly food expenses.

The development of jobs is another indication of the economic potential. Globally, for every 100,000 students fed, school lunch programs provide around 1,591 cooking job opportunities. Every $1 invested in feeding programs yields $7 to $35 in economic benefits, making them widely recognized as high-return investments in decreasing poverty.

Hungry children are less likely to attend school on a regular basis and are more likely to fall behind when they do, according to several studies. Hunger impairs focus, memory and engagement, which undermines the very education that would provide a means of escaping poverty. Therefore, food insecurity not only reflects existing inequality; it actively perpetuates it. School meals are increasingly understood as being much more than a simple plate of food.

Nishkam Projects Kericho

Against this backdrop of rising food insecurity, Nishkam Projects Kericho has become a locally based response to child hunger that prioritises community and humanity. The organisation collaborates with local communities and schools to provide children from low-income homes with regular meals so that hunger will not deter them from attending school.

The Sikh values of communal duty and sewa (selfless service) have shaped a larger humanitarian legacy that encompasses Nishkam’s work in Kericho. Instead of seeing hunger as a temporary crisis, the organization approaches it as a structural issue that requires ongoing dedication and long-term presence.

This philosophy is articulated by Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh Ji, Chairman of the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha and philanthropist, recently honored by Kipsigis elders in Kericho for his leadership in peace and service.

He explains the deeper motivation behind the initiative: “When people become disconnected from God, they become disconnected from creation — and when that happens, compassion disappears.” Nishkam Projects’ work seeks to bring back these connections, foster community and place compassion at the forefront of action. By incorporating its feeding program within educational institutions such as Highlands Primary School, the organization promotes a broader ethic of care while addressing pressing nutritional needs.

It centers around notions of mutual responsibility. Poverty exists when wealth is not shared, and inequality increases when individuals and communities no longer feel obligated to one another. As Bhai Sahib Ji illustrates: “When people lose that connection, greed takes over. They want more and more, and they stop wanting to share.”

In a world where widespread poverty and food waste coexist, this insight resonates strongly. Each year, a significant amount of food is wasted, despite the fact that millions of children lack access to even one consistent meal. By basing its feeding programs on seva, Nishkam Projects frames hunger as a societal issue that can be addressed through collective action.

Positive Impacts

The classroom at Highlands Primary School in Kericho demonstrates the effects of regular school meals. As Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh explains: “Children are the most vulnerable, and they are our future. If you want a good future, you must look after the children.” He adds that hunger affects children with particular force because of their dependence on others. “If there is no compassion, they are the first to suffer.” By embedding feeding within the school day, Nishkam’s programme protects children from the immediate effects of food insecurity while also supporting long-term development goals.

A basic daily meal acts as a stabilising factor, supporting education, strengthening households and helping interrupt cycles of hunger that can pass from generation to generation. Nishkam Projects Kericho sees education as the key to long-term development, while feeding programs address urgent hunger. In this way, food serves as a foundation rather than an endpoint. It stabilizes children’s lives so learning, growth and future opportunities become possible.

Without education, efforts to alleviate hunger risk becoming recurrent. With it, communities can begin to escape chronic poverty. Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh emphasizes that “good education, value-led education,” must accompany material support.

The Principle of Langar

This legacy of sharing food is embedded at the heart of another Sikh tradition: Langar. A centuries-old practice, Guru Ka Langar began in Punjab in the fifteenth century by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Langar embodies the Sikh virtues of sharing, community, inclusivity and the fundamental oneness of mankind.

Food is prepared collectively, shared freely and consumed side by side, with no distinction between those who give and those who receive. As Bhai Sahib Ji explains: “We prepare langar and everyone sits in the same line, at the same level, sharing the same meal.” By eliminating social status symbols, langar reframes food distribution as a gesture of solidarity rather than charity. No hierarchy places one group above another. Instead, the shared meal affirms Bhai Sahib Ji’s idea: “The wealthy person and the poor person are brothers.”

In the context of tackling hunger in Kericho, this approach carries particular significance. Food insecurity is often associated with stigma, reinforcing feelings of shame and exclusion among those who are struggling. By maintaining dignity and encouraging a sense of belonging, Langar actively counters this trend.

By basing its feeding programs on the philosophy of langar, Nishkam Projects provides more than just food. It provides a framework for addressing poverty that prioritizes equality, respect and shared humanity.

Nishkam Peace Festival, Kericho

Beyond schools and feeding programs, Nishkam’s dedication to ending hunger in Kericho reaches into the community’s broader social fabric.

This was particularly visible during Kericho’s Nishkam Peace Festival, when children from different schools gathered for a day of performances. Spoken-word, dance and music brought families and community members together.

The langar practice was central to the celebration. A free community meal, prepared and served in the same spirit of equality that guides Nishkam’s broader work, was extended to all children. The reasoning behind such initiatives is straightforward, as Bhai Sahib Ji observes: “Helping others becomes natural if we see all of humanity as one family.”

The Peace Festival in Kericho demonstrated how community, culture and langar can come together to promote harmony.

Looking Ahead

The demand for solutions that address both the material and social dimensions of poverty continues to grow. Nishkam Projects Kericho illustrates how combining values-driven action with practical programs can support children and communities facing food insecurity.

– Prubleen Bhogal

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

Photo: Needpix

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Updates on SDG 1 in South Sudan

SDG 1 in South SudanMany of the people in South Sudan are, literally, struggling to survive. A myriad of households stand to experience catastrophe by May 2026. Opposition between government and resistant forces are causing further displacement, limiting access to food and hindering humanitarian aid. The risk of famine continues to spread, especially with the re-emergence of cholera outbreaks. Imagine having a sick child and the only food and water available for her consumption is contaminated. This is real life for the South Sudanese. Many face physical, emotional, mental and spiritual devastation on a daily basis.

A 2022 South Sudan Household Budget Review discovered that only 24% of the South Sudanese live above the national poverty line. Poverty has a firmer grip on the children and women of South Sudan. About 40% of South Sudanese refugees are adults. The remaining 60% are under age 18. Females, juveniles and children make up the majority of those living in displacement camps. Here are updates on SDG 1 in South Sudan, which is the goal of no poverty.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Located in northeastern Africa, South Sudan is the world’s newest country. Seceding from Sudan in January 2011, it was admitted as a new Member State by the United Nations General Assembly on July 14, 2011. It aligned its development with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

As an appeal to end poverty and ensure everyone on the globe enjoys peace and prosperity, the United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. All 17 goals are integrated, recognizing that improvements in one area will have a positive impact on the outcomes of others.

Updates on SDG 1 in South Sudan

UNICEF reports that conflict, flooding and access constraints have deepened severe hunger and undernourishment across large areas of South Sudan. Millions of children continue to face the possibility of starvation in 2026.

While very little progress has been made on SDG 1, institutional efforts have been ongoing. South Sudan’s Voluntary National Review (VNR), addressed the government’s intent to align national policies with the 2030 Agenda. Although the VNR mentioned intense challenges — including lack of quantitative progress on poverty reduction — it recognized the country’s commitments to bolster social protection and support the vulnerable.

Although the poverty statistics in South Sudan can feel deflating, efforts are in place to address this crisis. The United Nations Country Team and South Sudanese government collaborated on development cooperation programs to increase food security and improve livelihoods.

In addition, agricultural initiatives supported by the United Nations have expanded food production from 800,000 to more than 1.1 million metric tons in 2024. More than 3 million people benefited from support through agriculture, fisheries and livestock, enhancing both food security and resilience.

Non-Government Organizations Supporting SDG 1 in South Sudan

Action Against Hunger has been addressing poverty in South Sudan for over 40 years. The focal points of its programs are water, sanitation, hygiene and food security. It collaborated with local lawmakers and community organizations to raise the budget for Health and Nutrition categories. South Sudan’s first National Nutrition Policy was a big win in 2024.

The Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA) offers humanitarian aid in South Sudan. Since 2019, the mission of these American physicians of Sudanese-descent has been to provide health care, food security, sanitation, water and other life saving efforts to the vulnerable experiencing poverty. SAPA’s key achievements include availability to primary health care for 4 million people. Mobile clinics and hospital services have been arranged to serve the internally displaced, at no cost.

Oxfam has been supporting the impoverished people of South Sudan for more than 30 years. Its goals are to help women and provide them with safe spaces where they can receive medical attention. In addition, it collaborates with local officials to promote accountability inside the institutions and systems, set in place, to save lives. It has been successful in building resilience by ensuring children have access to education. Oxfam has helped people get into trades and rebuild their livelihoods. It has also backed communities by arranging infrastructure, including water treatment facilities.

Looking Ahead

These are just a few of the NGOs busy employing strategies to address poverty in the world’s youngest country. To some, it may seem that No Poverty is an elusive goal for South Sudan but with local and global support, advocacy and improved governance, achieving SDG 1 over the next decade is still within reach.

– Erin Sian Mongillo

Erin is based in North Haven, CT, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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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