Archive for category: Hunger

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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

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How the United Nations is Working to Prevent Hunger in Tonga

Hunger in TongaThe Kingdom of Tonga, a constitutional monarchy, is a 171-island archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. Its estimated population of almost 105,000 occupies 45 of the islands, with over two-thirds living on the island of Tongaatapu. Over 75% of Tonga’s population is rural, although less than 28% of the land is arable. Tonga is an upper middle-income economy, with “enormous diaspora and remittance reliance” (estimated at almost 42% in 2022). Tourism is a key industry, and the country is a major fish exporter.      

Food Security: Access vs. Quality

The most recent Sustainable Development Report for Tonga for the U.N.’s SDG 2, Zero Hunger, shows decreasing trends in terms of improvement, with significant challenges remaining.  (Information was available for only four of the eight indicators comprising the assessment.) While the SDG has been achieved for stunting and wasting of children under 5, significant challenges remain for the Sustainable Nitrogen Management Index, and a major challenge regarding the prevalence of obesity, where the improvement trend is decreasing. 

Tonga has not met the criteria for inclusion in the Global Hunger Index, most likely because of insufficient data. Still, other sources support the conclusion that food security in Tonga is not a question of access to food, but rather an issue of the quality of food being consumed. The Pacific Community: Tonga Food Security Profile reports that more than 97% of the population has adequate access to food, but around 12% lack access to nutritious foods. While vegetable and fruit consumption is approximately what the WHO recommends for a healthy diet, 60% of dietary energy comes from foods it is recommended to limit or avoid—e.g., sugar and animal fats. Only 15% of Tongans consume a balanced diet. 

This conclusion is supported by the 2022 Global Nutrition Report, which indicates that Tonga’s obesity prevalence (57.9% of adult women and 45.5% of adult men) is higher than the regional average and among the highest in the world. At the same time, while Tonga is “on course” for childhood stunting, childhood wasting and childhood overweight, there has been no progress, or worsening, for anemia among women of childbearing age and exclusive breastfeeding. Tonga is off course for the remaining eight indicators of the report. 

Impact of Dietary Diversity on Health

The World Food Programme’s mobile Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping survey, October/November 2024, in Tonga, similarly noted that 98% of the households surveyed experienced adequate consumption, but diets lacked diversity. Although food security was found to be stable, the high cost of food and rural poverty are challenges. Significantly, the poor quality of diets can lead to NCDs (non-communicable diseases). 

The World Bank had previously noted an increase in poor diet as one of the behavior-related risk factors contributing to Tonga’s rise in NCDs, which accounted for four of the five leading causes of mortality. A 2021 World Bank study focused on NCD-related fiscal policies, such as taxation policy on unhealthy food consumption behaviors.

The World Bank has worked with Tonga to evaluate programs put in place 2016-2019 to promote healthy lifestyles. These programs were:

  • A government policy to mandate overseas fishing vessels to sell a portion of their catch in Tonga at a discounted rate, thus increasing the supply of fish available domestically
  • An NCD tax on unhealthy foods
  • A government buy-back program, whereby the Ministry of Fisheries purchased fish wholesale from local fishing boats and subsequently sold it to the public at a subsidized rate

The World Bank’s findings showed that “integrated, innovative solutions can work together to reduce food security risk… and improve health and nutrition outcomes.” 

Climate Challenge

Not to be ignored is the impact of climate on Tonga and its key economic sectors—tourism, agriculture and fisheries—and thus the direct and indirect effect on food security and health. Natural hazards include heat waves, drought, floods, cyclones and storm surges. In January 2022, for example, a volcanic eruption and tsunami destroyed crops and polluted drinking water. 

Subsequent to the COVID pandemic, the U.N.’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) worked through the Informal Economies Recovery Project to support the implementation of various agricultural development activities in Tonga. IFAD’s mission is to reduce rural poverty, to improve nutrition and increase food security, as well as to strengthen resilience. IFAD partnered with MORDITT in Tonga (Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation Tonga Trust), with activities including the distribution of seedlings. 

A Collaborative and Multi-Pronged Approach

Addressing hunger in Tonga is thus a combination of national and international commitment with macro-level policy and sectoral efforts, as well as micro-level behavioral change efforts.

– Staff Reports

Photo: Flickr

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10 Important Facts About Hunger in Vanuatu

Vanuatu HungerVanuatu is a lower-middle-income South Pacific Ocean archipelago between Hawaii and Australia, comprising more than 80 islands and extending over 800 miles. About two-thirds of the islands are inhabited, with over half of the population of 318,007 living on the three largest islands. The islands are primarily mountainous, with less than 2% arable land, and several islands are home to active volcanoes. There is a five-month cyclone season, with occasional earthquakes and tsunamis. Economically, the country relies on subsistence agriculture and tourism. 

Hunger and Nutrition in Vanuatu

Probably because of its small size, Vanuatu is not ranked in the comparative country report, the Global Hunger Index. The Global Nutrition Report has secured information on Vanuatu’s progress in meeting global nutrition targets; however, some of the data is over a decade old (2013-2020). At that last report, the country was “on course” only for three metrics: childhood overweight, exclusive breastfeeding and childhood wasting. Childhood stunting, anemia of women of childbearing age and low birth weight showed no progress or were worsening, with the islands “off course” for the remaining seven global nutrition indicators. 

Food Security

The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization’s most recent Food Security Profile for Vanuatu is also based on data from 2020 or earlier and is consistent with the Global Nutrition Report. One in 10 Ni Vanuatu (Vanuatu’s Indigenous people) were described as undernourished, with 20.9% experiencing a moderate level of food insecurity, and severe levels of food insecurity suffered by an additional 2.4%. In other words, almost a quarter of Vanuatu’s population was reported as food insecure. On a positive note, the average Ni-Vanuatu is reported to consume more than the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables recommended by the World Health Organization. 

More recently, in October-November 2024, the World Food Programme telephone surveyed 1,306 Vanuatu households (82% of them were rural households). This was after a series of severe, damaging cyclones in 2023 that had disrupted the supply chain and impacted agricultural production and economic activity. The rural communities, which rely on subsistence agriculture, experienced a negative impact on consumption and nutrition. In October, although 67% of the households noted acceptable food consumption patterns, this was a 30% decline from the previous year. A 7.3 magnitude earthquake, subsequent to the survey, in December 2024, could only have exacerbated food insecurity. The source of food varied among the provinces: 84% of Malampa Province respondents reported acquiring food through their own production, while 69% of Shefa Province respondents purchased their food from markets or supermarkets. 

Subsistence agriculture has its limits, however. In March 2024, Prime Minister Chariot Salwai reported to the National Economic and Investment Forum that “Vanuatu imports nearly half of its food, despite 70% of the population residing in rural areas capable of producing organic products for domestic consumption.” 

Public Health Consequences

A substantial reliance on food imports can have a negative public health effect when it facilitates an increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods. This can lead to an increase in noncommunicable diseases. A recent study of the impact of trade agreements on food systems revealed the relationship between Vanuatu’s World Trade Organization agreements and obligations and the country’s food environment, where an increase was seen in both healthy and less healthy imports. 

It was also found that an increase in foreign direct investment was accompanied by an increase in the local production and consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods by foreign-owned companies involved in food manufacturing, processing and production. 

Policy Responses to Hunger in Vanuatu

Such changes in the food environment can be addressed and controlled. This demands a balance of priorities among economic and trade interests and public health interests in order to strengthen the “nutrition policy space.” And this balance calls for multisectoral cooperation that includes public health actors in the policymaking process. Vanuatu recognized this in its National Nutrition Policy & Strategic Plan 2016-2020, with one of its guiding principles being a commitment to multisectoral approaches. 

This was followed by the Vanuatu Food Safety, Security & Nutrition Policy, 2022-2030, which recognizes and addresses the role of trade, economic and environmental policies on health and the food and nutrition “landscape.”

– Staff Reports
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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5 Facts About Hunger in Uruguay

Hunger in UruguayThe Republic of Uruguay is the second-smallest South American country. It is bordered by Argentina and Brazil, with a 410-mile coastline on the South Atlantic Ocean. Its 3.4 million population is 96% urban, with almost half living in or around the capital of Montevideo on the country’s southern coast. Uruguay is a high-income country and home to South America’s largest middle class. 

Hunger in Uruguay is Very Low

The 2024 Global Hunger Index designates hunger in Uruguay as Low, with a score of less than 5. This score has been consistently low, trending downward since 2000 when it was 7.6, and dropping below 5 beginning in 2016. The country is “very low” on all four component indicators: undernourishment (<2.5%), child mortality (0.7%) and child wasting (1.3%), with its highest indicator being child stunting (9.1%). 

The most recent Global Nutrition Report’s 13-target profile shows Uruguay as “on course” for childhood stunting and wasting, and overweight, as well as for elevated blood pressure for men and women, with “some progress” on low birthweight. However, it is “off course” for obesity, diabetes and sodium intake for both men and women. Anemia among women of childbearing age has made no progress or is worsening, with a steady increase since 2010, and is significantly higher for pregnant women. 

Poverty

Although Uruguay has one of the lowest poverty rates in the region (0.1% International Poverty Line, 10.1% National Poverty Line), child poverty is still twice the national average. In addition, 18.9% of the population suffers from multidimensional poverty, deprived of education, housing, basic services, social protection and employment. 

Food Security Strengths and Challenges

Food insecurity is related to both hunger and nutrition. Despite its excellent economy, there are still Uruguayans who experience moderate or severe food insecurity. Food insecurity was reported in 2023 to affect approximately 15% of households, primarily those with children and adolescents. Food insecurity became more visible during the economic stresses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The 2022 Global Food Security Index breaks down the nature of Uruguay’s food insecurity as follows: 

  • Sustainability and adaptation: 65.8 (rank 21)
  • Availability: 65.6 (rank 29)
  • Quality and safety: 73.8 (rank 40)
  • Affordability: 80.0 (rank 45)

​​The country’s strengths are disaster risk management, policy commitments regarding food security and access and food safety legislation and mechanisms, along with low poverty and the presence and nature of food safety-net programs. Challenges are average food costs, dietary diversity, farm infrastructure and ocean and land “health.”

Food Self-Sufficiency

The nature of Uruguay’s farmland (flat and fertile) is the basis of its food self-sufficiency ability, as is the fact that it is one of the largest exporters of grains, soybeans and beef. In addition, there is the presence of strategies such as frequent crop rotations, government policies focused on healthy soil and animals, and satellite imagery that pinpoints higher-risk erosion areas so responsible farmers can take corrective action. 

With a cow population four times the size of its human population, legislation prohibiting the use of antibiotics and hormones in cattle promotes both human health and animal welfare. Farming biotechnologies, for example, genome sequencing, enhances product quality. Cold tanks, mandatory pasteurization at the industrial level and measures to lower the risk of contaminants have improved the quality of its dairy products, 70% of which are exported. The country’s attention to both safety and food system innovation has made it “a top competitor for the most food-self-sufficient countries in the world.” 

The Future

Uruguay demonstrates how strategic agricultural practices, robust public policies and a strong commitment to social welfare can address hunger and support self-sufficiency. However, while it is one of the world’s most food-secure nations, it faces challenges such as obesity, child poverty and uneven nutrition outcomes, especially among women and children. As Uruguay continues to build on its strengths, it models valuable lessons for other nations striving to balance food availability, affordability and nutritional well-being.

– Staff Reports

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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5 Facts About Hunger in Tuvalu

Hunger in TuvaluTuvalu is a small island nation composed of nine islands in the western Pacific Ocean. Because of its history as a former British colony, many of its citizens speak English, even though the native language is Tuvaluan and the native people are Polynesian. Tuvalu is recognized as one of the world’s least developed countries, the fourth smallest independent nation globally and one of the most at risk due to climate change. One-third of the population lives in Funafuti, the main island that is also the most urban. The rest of the population lives a more traditional lifestyle with extended families. Hunger in Tuvalu has been a problem, a direct result of limited access to land or income, and more recently, the impact of climate change. Here are five facts about food and hunger in Tuvalu.

5 Facts About Food and Hunger in Tuvalu

  1. History: For most of Tuvalu’s history, a majority of the population consisted of subsistence farmers who lived off what they grew. Hunger in Tuvalu was a part of life, but there was little famine. Usually, a family could grow enough food to support themselves, and they supplemented their diets with fish caught in the ocean.
  2. Importing Food: As Tuvalu’s connection to the rest of the world has increased, it has begun to import more and more food. Now, 80% of food is imported, mostly from the nearby countries of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Fiji. This reliance on imported goods has significantly altered the country’s approach to food security and nutrition.
  3. Farming and Fishing: Hunger has decreased due to imported food, but Tuvaluans still face challenges with food security. Before Tuvalu began importing most of its food, local farms and fishing provided food security, but now most fish caught are exported. Even so, many rely on their land or fishing to earn money as the majority of the population is engaged in crop cultivation (69%) and livestock farming (84%). Currently, 26.3% of the population lives below the poverty line. 
  4. Changing Weather patterns: Changing weather patterns pose a major threat to food security because changing ecosystems can hurt people’s food supply. As coral in the ocean dies, fish — a crucial food supply — die as well. Additionally, seawater is slowly becoming acidic, making it an increasingly uninhabitable environment for sea life. More flooding due to rising sea levels and stronger tropical cyclones will also damage farmland and property.
  5. Health Concerns: Despite circumstances threatening food security, hunger in Tuvalu is not the country’s primary food-related problem. Imported foods, highly composed of fat and sugar to reduce spoilage, have increased obesity on the islands. The country ranks seventh in obesity, with an obesity rate of 51%.

Ongoing Efforts to Strengthen Food Security in Tuvalu

In recent years, various stakeholders have been working to address food insecurity in Tuvalu through collaborative initiatives aimed at improving agricultural resilience, promoting local food production and reducing dependence on imported goods.

Tuvalu’s Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund, has worked on the development of government gardens. These initiatives introduced composting facilities, heat-tolerant crops and raised garden beds to improve local food production. Alongside these technical improvements, the government has promoted healthier diets by offering nutrition education and local recipes to encourage better use of homegrown produce. A particularly impactful initiative has been the Department of Agriculture’s push for home gardens,  encouraging households to grow vegetables on their own land. These gardens not only help diversify diets and reduce food imports but also promote physical activity and mental well-being. 

Another initiative to address food insecurity in Tuvalu is the one promoted by the NGO Live & Learn Environmental Education (LLEE) through its “Tuvalu Food Futures” project. The project has supported food garden development both in Funafuti and on outer islands like Nukufetau and Nukulaelae. 

While Tuvalu continues to face challenges from the changing climate, economic limitations and a growing reliance on imported food, local and international efforts are helping to build a more food-secure future. By investing in sustainable agriculture, promoting homegrown solutions and reviving traditional practices, Tuvalu is taking important steps toward restoring resilience and self-sufficiency in the face of uncertainty.

– Seona Maskara
Photo: Flickr

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Understanding Hunger in Türkiye

hunger in TurkeyTürkiye is a country with major economic influence in the Middle East, and it is ranked as the 17th most prolific economy worldwide. In 2024, 2.5% of the population was undernourished, a percentage that has remained steady over the last five years. Despite this, the proportion of people living below the international upper middle-income poverty threshold of $6.85 per day decreased from 16% in 2012 to 7.8% in 2022. 

However, a 2023 report from the Turkish Statistical Institute revealed that nearly one in three people in Türkiye faces the risk of poverty or social exclusion.

Persistently High Inflation

Türkiye’s inflation rate remains high at around 70%, significantly impacting the cost of essential goods, including food. In some instances, prices have doubled, with people struggling to afford basic products. 

Moreover, the minimum wage often falls below the hunger threshold, making it difficult for families to meet their nutritional needs. 

Children are particularly affected by the worsening economic conditions. Approximately one-third of Turkish children live in poverty, with many experiencing malnutrition, stunted growth and increased rates of child labor. 

Economic hardship has led to increased child poverty, with many children forced to work to support their families. This not only affects their education and development but also reflects the broader issue of food insecurity within households.

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, have disrupted food production and distribution networks. For instance, the devastating earthquake in February 2023 caused significant infrastructure damage, aggravating food insecurity in affected regions. ​The earthquake resulted in over 50,000 deaths, injured 107,000 people, and either damaged or destroyed 1.9 million homes, leaving 3.3 million people displaced—two million of whom required emergency shelter. The cost of recovery and reconstruction is estimated at $81.5 billion, adding strain to an already fragile situation. 

The Long Term Impact of Refugees 

Türkiye is home to one of the largest refugee populations globally, with over 3.1 million Syrians and nearly 300,000 refugees and asylum seekers from other countries. Since 2011, the country has allocated nearly €10 billion to support both refugees and the communities that host them, with the help of EU funds. 

The long-term presence of Syrian refugees in Türkiye has brought both challenges and benefits, affecting the economy, labor market and society. Syrian refugees, many of whom are employed in the informal sector, have intensified competition for low-skilled jobs—particularly in agriculture and construction—affecting Turkish workers in these fields. However, some studies indicate that their presence has also contributed to the creation of formal, higher-wage employment opportunities. In areas with large refugee populations, rising demand has driven up prices for housing and services. Despite these challenges, refugees have helped boost the Turkish economy through increased consumption and investment, positively impacting GDP in certain sectors, accounting for around 2% of the country’s GDP in 2017. Their presence also led to a production boost of 30.6 billion TL across various sectors, which resulted in about 20.9 billion TL in added economic value—equivalent to 1.51% of GDP.  

Organizations Fighting to Eradicate Hunger in Türkiye

Several organizations are actively working to address hunger and food insecurity in Türkiye:

  • World Food Programme (WFP): WFP provides cash assistance to over 30,000 refugees each month to help alleviate hunger and insecurity.
  • International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD): IFAD supports isolated rural communities by helping resource-poor farmers transition from subsistence to commercial farming. Their programs emphasize gender equality, community empowerment, and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): FAO focuses on improving nutrition and social protection for disadvantaged groups, promoting sustainable agricultural development, and strengthening climate resilience, particularly in rural areas. FAO supports smallholder farmers, especially women, with market access and climate-smart practices.
  • Action Against Hunger: In response to the February 2023 earthquake, Action Against Hunger assisted over 80,000 people by providing essential water, sanitation, and hygiene services.

While notable progress was made in reducing poverty and hunger in Türkiye over the past decade, the country continues to face challenges related to hunger, driven by high inflation and natural disasters. Through targeted support, sustainable development strategies, and humanitarian aid, there is a path forward to reduce hunger in Türkiye and help vulnerable communities access the food, resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

– Arianna Distefano
Photo: Pexels