Archive for category: Hunger

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Updates on SDG 2 in Sudan: The Battle Against Hunger

SDG 2 in SudanIn 2015, all U.N. member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The agenda revolved around commitment to 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a call to action for all developed and developing countries to commit to a unified approach to ending poverty and other global deprivations, with the U.N. Secretary General presenting annual SDG Progress Reports.

António Guterres presented the latest SDG Progress Report this year, which noted that global hunger and food, while having declined in recent history, are still above the figures from before the COVID-19 pandemic. With SDG 2 being the goal to attain levels of zero hunger, here are all the updates on SDG 2 in Sudan, including both the situation on the ground as well as the progress that is underway to combat rampant hunger in Sudan, as the African nation currently experiences a catastrophic famine.

Violence and Its Impact on Hunger

After three years of violence due to the conflict between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Military, UNICEF reports that the conflict has affected 30 million people —  half of them children —  with violence such as summary executions, starvation, rape and bombardment displacing at least 10 million, which U.N. reports claim fit the 2008 U.N. Security Council definition for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that 21.2 million people — nearly half of the population — are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, as conflict areas such as El Fasher and Kadugli have confirmed famine conditions. Restricted access due to violent conflict, as well as inflated food prices, strenuous journeys to receive aid, starving mothers’ reduced ability to breastfeed and funding cuts for said aid have driven the country to experience high levels of food insecurity.

UNICEF also reports that in the state of South Kordofan, where Kadugli is the capital, 10,000 children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, while more than 70% of hospitals in areas experiencing violence are non-operational. Hospitals in safer areas are overwhelmed with limited resources and staff not receiving pay, severely limiting any safety net for families caught in a cycle of malnutrition.

Efforts on the Ground

As previously mentioned, funding cuts for relief organizations have limited the on-the-ground support for SDG 2 in Sudan. However, the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Special Snapshot reveals that as of September 2025, acute food insecurity had slightly improved with an estimated 3.4 million people no longer falling into the same category level of hunger, being IPC phase 3 or above, that they had from December 2024 to May 2035, the previous period of analysis. Furthermore, the IPC states that it expects food security conditions to improve between October 2025 and January 2026 with the arrival of the harvest season, though these harvest gains will be limited in some violence-ridden regions.

These incremental gains for SDG 2 in Sudan reflect the persistence of agencies like FAO, UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP).

  • FAO is focusing on providing emergency livestock, fishery supplies and veterinary services for animals deemed vital sources of protein and nutrition to strengthen local food systems. In the summer of 2024, FAO and its partners distributed 5,000 MT of seeds, reaching around 2.7 million people.
  • Between January and November 2024, UNICEF screened 6.7 million children under 5 for malnutrition and more than 415,772 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition were treated. UNICEF recently regained access to South Kordofan, delivering convoys of essential medicines and ready-to-use therapeutic food — a nutrient-rich peanut paste that can save children suffering from acute malnutrition. For parents like Zahra, whose three-year-old daughter Tahir was suffering from malnutrition, this convoy was the first real sign of relief and survival for her child in many months.
  • WFP delivers both food aid and cash assistance through its Food Assistance for Assets program, while distributing its micronutrient-rich product “VITAMINO” to children under 5, as well as pregnant and nursing mothers. As of December 2024, WFP had delivered food assistance to more than 800,000 Sudanese at risk of famine.

In addition, both UNICEF and the WFP offer vocational training for adolescents and adults, respectively, to provide greater access to livelihood opportunities as a safeguard against multigenerational poverty and hunger.

Looking Ahead

Despite encouraging signs that progress has occurred towards SDG 2 in Sudan has not completely ceased as famine in Sudan remains one of the most urgent humanitarian crises in the world with UNICEF stating that advocacy is crucial in the desire for greater humanitarian access across conflict lines both to provide more aid and to collect more data, increased foreign aid, mainly in the form of flexible spending, as well as a cessation of hostilities, the latter of which both UNICEF and the WFP deem vital in containing food insecurity and malnutrition.

With the FAO stating its need for $156.7 million for 2025 to assist 14.2 million people, UNICEF also urges the international community, including U.S. Congress and other donor governments, to increase flexible funding that allows rapid allocation to the most vulnerable.

Despite the dire circumstances, the persistence of local farmers, aid workers and global partners continues to plant the seeds of hope that sustain SDG 2’s mission. Each harvest supported, each child treated for malnutrition and each family trained for self-reliance moves Sudan — however slowly — closer to the promise of zero hunger.

– Luca Hanlon

Luca is based in Brooklyn, NY, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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School Meals Coalition: The Fight Against Childhood Hunger

School Meals CoalitionOver the past five years, the world has seen significant wins in the fight against childhood hunger. Most notably, an additional 80 million children worldwide have gained access to school meals since 2020. School meals are an important social safety net that helps prevent child malnutrition and advance human development. The rapid increase in distributed school meals comes not as a result of foreign aid, but from national school feeding programs, illustrating nations’ growing investment in the futures of their students. With expanding domestic programs and policies, developing countries are providing meals to 60% more children in 2025 than in 2023. The most significant progress has been seen in Africa, with 20 million of the newly reached students living in African nations.

Countries Leading the Way

Several African countries are leading the way in advancing domestic nutrition programs, with considerable progress in Rwanda and Kenya.

In 2024, Rwanda provided school meals to nearly 4.5 million students through its National School Meal Programme. That same year, the Rwandan government released the National School Feeding Strategy 2023-2032, which outlines plans to continue expanding the program by accommodating the growing student population, increasing program efficiency and building resilience against external shocks. The government is also increasing capacity through higher budget allocations. In 2021, the school feeding budget was $6.25 million; by 2024, it had increased to $73.4 million.

Kenya has taken strong action toward providing universal access to school meals. The Kenya School Meal Programme has been scaling up since the 1980s. In 2024, 2.6 million school-aged children received school meals. By 2030, the government aims to deliver meals to all 10 million primary school students.

Sustainable practices have been prioritized, including procuring locally grown food from small-scale farms—especially climate-resilient crops—and expanding clean, on-site cooking methods to lower energy use and reduce pollutants. Kenya joined the School Meals Coalition in 2021 and has since launched a national chapter, the first of its kind in Africa.

A Meal for Every Child: The School Meals Coalition

This progress reflects the efforts of the School Meals Coalition, a global movement that mobilizes governments to invest in school feeding initiatives. The coalition includes 112 member states, 150 partner organizations and six regional bodies committed to addressing childhood hunger and supporting Sustainable Development Goals.

As countries join, they issue commitments to scale up national school feeding programs and outline how they plan to reach those goals. In return, the coalition provides research, financial strategies and technical support. Many of the countries making the most progress are coalition members, demonstrating high levels of cooperation. In Africa, 44 out of 54 countries are now part of the coalition.

Looking ahead, the coalition aims to provide daily meals to all school-aged children worldwide by 2030. One major milestone has already been reached: restoring all national school meal programs suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continued efforts focus on reaching vulnerable children who still lack access by recruiting more member countries, scaling up programs and improving their efficiency and sustainability.

The Benefits of School Meals

School feeding has strong implications for poverty reduction, providing measurable improvements in educational, economic, health and nutritional outcomes. The most immediate benefits involve improved child health and nutrition, especially in low-income countries where many children face food insecurity. For many, a school meal is their most consistent source of essential nutrients.

There are also far-reaching benefits beyond nutrition. Evidence shows that school meals can improve educational outcomes by increasing enrollment, attendance and classroom participation, particularly in communities facing poverty. Food often acts as an incentive for families to send their children to school, helping reduce absenteeism and fatigue.

School feeding also supports economic growth. As governments add locally grown foods to their menus, smallholder farmers benefit, strengthening local food systems and economies. Long-term returns stem from improved education and increased job opportunities. It is estimated that for every $1 invested in school feeding, $7 to $35 is gained in economic returns.

Looking Forward

As countries continue scaling up school feeding initiatives, they address key drivers of poverty. Consistent, nutritious meals help prevent child malnutrition and improve health outcomes. School meals also provide students with the foundation to break cycles of poverty through better educational and employment opportunities. Local economies benefit through stronger food systems and increased income opportunities.

Through major progress in reaching children with school meals, the School Meals Coalition and its member states show how cooperation can support human development and poverty reduction while continuing the global fight against childhood hunger.

– Quinlan Bohannon

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

Photo: Flickr

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The Impact of Technology on World Hunger

World Hunger
Food scarcity remains a critical global issue and a barrier to eradicating world hunger, affecting millions of people. As the world population grows, traditional methods of food production and distribution face immense pressure. Fortunately, technological advancements offer powerful, innovative solutions to combat hunger. By improving agricultural practices, optimizing supply chains and empowering local communities, technology provides hope for a future free from hunger. This article explores the significant ways technology is making a difference in the global fight for food security.

Technology Improves Crop Yields and Resilience

Modern agricultural technology, known as AgTech, is a critical weapon in the fight against world hunger. By directly addressing food production challenges, these innovations are empowering farmers to produce more food sustainably for a growing population. Farmers can leverage digital agriculture tools, such as GPS-guided tractors, drones and soil sensors, to manage fields with remarkable accuracy, applying water, fertilizers and pesticides only where needed. For example, according to OnFarm, an AgTech resource such as IoT helps to generate 4 million crop-related data points each day to prevent future crop loss. This precise application conserves vital resources, minimizes environmental impact and maximizes output from every acre, directly contributing to feeding more people and securing food supplies.

Drones offer aerial views of crop health, allowing farmers to proactively identify and mitigate problems such as pests or nutrient deficiencies before they devastate harvests. Furthermore, breakthroughs in biotechnology have led to the development of crops specifically engineered for resilience against drought, pests and disease. These robust crops ensure more stable and abundant harvests, even in the face of unpredictable climates, providing a vital safeguard against famine and food shortages in vulnerable communities.

Technology Reduces Food Waste in Supply Chains

A significant portion of the world’s food is lost or wasted between the farm and the consumer. Technology offers effective solutions to make supply chains more efficient and reduce this loss. Innovations in food preservation, such as advanced packaging and processing techniques, play a crucial role. For example, lyophilization, or freeze drying, reduces food scarcity by keeping food fresh for longer periods. Additionally, blockchain technology provides transparent and traceable supply chains, allowing businesses to monitor food from its origin to the store shelf. This transparency helps identify weak points where food loss occurs and ensures accountability. Smart logistics platforms use data analytics to optimize transportation routes and storage conditions, further minimizing spoilage and ensuring that more food reaches those in need.

Technology Empowers Small-Scale Farmers

Small-scale farmers produce one third of the world’s food, yet many lack access to vital information and resources. Mobile phone technology is bridging this gap. Through simple text messages or dedicated smartphone apps, farmers can receive real-time weather forecasts, current market prices, and expert agricultural advice. This information empowers them to make informed decisions, such as when to plant, harvest or sell their crops. Mobile phone banking platforms also provide access to financial services, enabling farmers to secure loans for better seeds and equipment. By connecting smallholders to larger markets and critical data, technology helps increase their productivity and income, strengthening local food systems and building economic resilience.

Build a Hunger-Free Future

Technology is not a single solution, but a powerful collection of tools that can fundamentally change how we produce, distribute, and access food. From the fields where crops grow to the supply chains that deliver them, innovation is driving efficiency, reducing waste and empowering communities. By supporting and scaling these technological solutions, the world can create a more sustainable and equitable food system for everyone. Every person’s support for organizations that implement these technologies can help accelerate this progress. Together, people can harness the power of innovation to end world hunger.

– Kelly Schoessling

Photo: Unsplash

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Food ATMs: How Smart Dispensers Are Redefining Hunger Relief

Food ATMsIn narrow alleys and public markets of Quezon City, Philippines, glowing dispensers now operate under the city’s Paleng-QR Ph program, allowing residents to purchase or collect essentials through QR-enabled systems. Introduced and accelerated during the pandemic, these digital systems allow families to access essentials independently, without crowds or manual processing.

For thousands of families, it represents more than convenience; it’s peace of mind, knowing their family can eat without the stress of waiting or public scrutiny. Each quiet transaction is a small but meaningful reassurance in an unpredictable world.

What Are Food ATMs?

Food ATMs, sometimes called Grain ATMs, work like cash machines but dispense food instead of currency. Users authenticate with a biometric ID, smart card or QR pass and the machine releases a measured amount of grain based on eligibility. These systems are designed to prevent ration theft and eliminate the need for manual ledgers and oversight, making distribution more transparent and tamper-proof.

For many families, this means receiving their daily sustenance without anxiety or embarrassment, allowing them to focus on work, school and family life rather than waiting in long lines.

The Technology Behind Food ATMs

In India, the Annapurti Grain ATM can dispense up to 50 kilograms of grain within five minutes. It uses biometric verification and automation to reduce wait times by an estimated 70%, according to rollout reports from the state of Odisha. Machines are being adapted to run on solar power, making them functional even in regions with unstable electricity.

In the Philippines, the QR-based Paleng-QR initiative digitizes transactions in public markets, encouraging cashless and monitored distribution. For the families who rely on these systems, it means fewer hours spent waiting in queues and more certainty that their children will have food on the table. Each successful transaction offers a quiet reassurance that their daily needs are met efficiently and safely.

Global Expansion: Verified Examples

The concept of automated, dignity-focused resource distribution is spreading across regions:

  • India: Grain ATMs under public distribution reforms provide 24/7 access and reduce dependency on ration shops.
  • Kenya: Smart-card water ATMs in Nairobi slums allow users to access safe water at reduced cost and are available at any hour.
  • Philippines: The Paleng-QR digitization effort is part of a government-backed strategy to integrate QR authentication for everyday essentials.

The Quiet Revolution: Food Without Shame

Beyond speed and logistics, these machines challenge an age-old problem in aid distribution: public visibility and shame. Traditional food lines force recipients to wait in crowded spaces, often creating a sense of dependency and exposure. Automated, private collection allows families to receive aid quietly, preserving dignity.

Reports from digital aid pilots show increased participation when food access is available privately and without human gatekeepers. Parents and caregivers experience relief and confidence, knowing their families can receive essentials discreetly, allowing them to focus on daily life without fear of judgment. Each quiet visit to a food ATM reinforces autonomy and trust in the support system.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

Digital systems require electricity, connectivity and maintenance, which are not always guaranteed in informal settlements or disaster-prone areas. Biometric or QR technologies risk excluding people without government IDs or mobile access. Moreover, digital records can raise privacy concerns, as transaction logs reveal when and how often people collect aid.

In response, some pilot systems are introducing offline verification modes and solar-powered units to reduce exclusion. Even small technical glitches can leave marginalized families without a meal or essential supplies, making reliable and inclusive access a matter that directly impacts their daily lives and dignity.

Closing

In Quezon City, digital access points are expanding through Paleng-QR. In India, the Grain ATM continues its rollout under public distribution reforms.

Families eat, students study and parents work, without the extra burden of food insecurity. Ultimately, food ATMs are not just dispensers but quiet tools of autonomy, dignity and transformative change.

– Diane Dunlop

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

Photo: Flickr

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A Double Burden: Malnutrition in the Dominican Republic

Malnutrition in the Dominican RepublicFor decades, malnutrition in the Dominican Republic was synonymous with hunger. Children in rural provinces and low-income neighborhoods often depended on public school food programs that fell short and malnutrition rates rose. In the ’90s, chronic child malnutrition affected more than 30% of children younger than 5. Over time, however, the country has made measurable progress. By the early 2010s, undernourishment had dropped by more than half, partly thanks to school food programs and targeted interventions.

The New Face of Malnutrition

Today, the face of malnutrition in the Dominican Republic has changed. While stunting still affects 6.7% of children under age 5, the more pressing concerns are anemia, obesity and overweight. According to UNICEF, about 8% of children under 5 are overweight. Likewise, 31% of public school students were overweight or obese during the 2021–2022 school year. At the same time, nearly 28% of children under 5 still suffer from anemia.

As nutrition specialist Ana Carolina Báez Abbott told The Borgen Project in an interview: “Now the problem isn’t underweight, but overweight and obesity… and often these overweight children have micronutrient deficiencies. What we call hidden hunger.” The country now grapples with what public health experts call the “double burden” of malnutrition: undernutrition and overnutrition coexisting in the same communities.

Band-Aid Policies Yield Uneven Results

This transition highlights a pattern of “band-aid” solutions. The government and international organizations previously focused on school feeding programs to reduce hunger. By 2013, the FAO reported that undernourishment had declined by more than half compared to the ’90s. Yet policymakers ignored the quality of meals, which often filled stomachs but lacked the nutrients needed for healthy development.

Abbott explained that when she worked with the Programa de Alimentación Escolar (School Feeding Program), her team uncovered serious flaws in the menus. “There was a high sugar content in the school menu,” said Abbott. “For example, a juice with an average of 23 grams of sugar that the children consumed daily. We decided to exclude it and replace it with fresh fruit.”

She also noted efforts to improve fiber intake: “We ensured that every lunch dish included vegetables, along with protein and carbohydrates. It was a way to educate children on proper nutrition.”

Today, the government’s promises tell a similar story. The ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) has pledged investments in rural health infrastructure. In its 2025 report, the Ministry of Public Health estimated that malnutrition and obesity cost the country 2.6% of GDP annually. Health budgets remain skewed toward urban hospitals, leaving rural maternal and child nutrition programs underfunded.

Approval of Schooling Feeding Program

In 2024, legislators made school feeding a permanent state policy, banning junk food in cafeterias and guaranteeing potable water. This represents a milestone, showing that nutrition is finally being addressed as a permanent right rather than a temporary fix.

Still, as Abbott notes: “These are changes that you may not see results from right now, but you are preventing children from receiving a super-high sugar load… and that impacts the reduction of health complications in the future.”

Her perspective aligns with findings from Diario Libre’s 2022 and 2024 reports: the Dominican Republic has established key tools like the National Institute of Student Welfare (INABIE) and school nutrition laws — but their impact depends on how effectively these programs are implemented, especially in rural areas.

While progress is undeniable, the country still struggles with underlying inequities, where malnutrition has evolved and not disappeared. Rural poverty, limited access to nutritious food and weak program delivery mean that the country still fails its youngest citizens.

Abbott emphasized the role of poverty and inequality: “The problems of poverty and inequality exacerbate the problem. Many mothers stop breastfeeding early and opt for sweetened formulas, creating children with a preference for sweets from a very young age.”

A Political Gap

The Dominican Republic’s struggle with malnutrition is political as much as it is nutritional. Budget priorities favor urban hospitals over preventive care. Maternal and child nutrition remain secondary concerns in national planning. Lawmakers pass laws but fail to implement them fully.

According to Abbott, stronger public policies are essential. “We need more public policies, more laws and regulations,” she explains. “We need schools to be safe spaces where what is sold in cafeterias is controlled. And we need massive educational campaigns to raise awareness among the population.”

The 2024 nutrition law, INABIE’s expanded reach and the PRM’s rural health pledges show that nutrition is gaining attention on the national agenda. The challenge is no longer whether policies exist, but whether they are strong enough, consistent enough and inclusive enough to close the remaining gaps.

Abbott points out that measures like food reformulation and labeling could help: “There is a proposed regulation for front-of-package labeling with nutritional warnings… we, as a state, have a responsibility to inform consumers.”

The Road Ahead

Malnutrition in the Dominican Republic has changed forms over the decades, but it remains a serious problem. The Dominican Republic has reduced hunger but now faces a more complex challenge: tackling anemia, obesity and stunting together. This requires moving beyond short-term fixes toward structural change: investing in maternal diets, rural programs and school nutrition that emphasizes quality, not just quantity.

Until then, malnutrition in the Dominican Republic will remain a familiar story told in new forms: a problem solved on paper, but not in the lives of Dominican children.

– Shannon Garrido

Shannon is based in Brighton, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Data Harvest: Predictive Famine Modeling

Predictive famine modelingFamine rarely arrives without warning. Yet in many cases, the signs go unnoticed until people are already on the brink. A new wave of data-driven tools and predictive famine modeling seeks to change that. Satellites, mobile surveys, artificial intelligence (AI) and harmonized datasets are being used to forecast hunger months in advance—and whether those predictions can be turned into action.

The Urgency: Hunger on the Rise

Globally, more than 343 million people face severe food insecurity, a surge driven by climate shocks, conflict and economic instability. Behind those numbers are families skipping meals, parents who go hungry so their children can eat and communities forced to make impossible choices. In 2025, the World Food Program (WFP) warned that 58 million people risk losing food assistance unless emergency funding is secured.

For those on the ground, this doesn’t just mean smaller rations—it can mean no rations. In places already strained by drought or conflict, the absence of aid can tip households from hardship into catastrophe. Donor contributions have dropped by 40% compared to the previous year, leaving many relief programs strained and at risk of collapse.

This funding shortfall comes at the worst possible time: wars and weather extremes are multiplying, food prices are volatile and the world’s most vulnerable are bearing the brunt. The humanitarian community has described it as a “perfect storm,” where shrinking resources collide with rising needs.

In this context, predictive famine modeling is of critical importance. If the world cannot guarantee more food aid today, it can at least sharpen its ability to see where tomorrow’s hunger will strike. The question is whether we can turn foresight into action—moving from a cycle of crisis response to one of prevention.

The Data Revolution

Researchers are combining data streams that once seemed unrelated to forecast hunger more effectively. Every signal tells part of the story, from satellites watching rainfall and crop growth to mobile phone surveys capturing what families eat each week. Remote sensing provides a broad view of land and weather patterns that hint at failing harvests. At the same time, phone interviews and household surveys show how people cope—whether meals are being skipped or diets are being cut back.

To bring this information together, new tools such as the Harmonized Food Insecurity Dataset (HFID) now integrate multiple indicators into one monthly, subnational series. It gives analysts a clearer picture of when and where food stress worsens. Even unconventional sources are being tapped: the AI model HungerGist, for example, scans thousands of news reports to detect signals of looming food crises that traditional surveys may miss.

The result is a new way of seeing hunger. Instead of reacting once famine takes hold, analysts can detect trouble months in advance and pinpoint specific regions at risk. By weaving together these diverse sources, predictive famine modeling moves humanitarian response from hindsight to foresight.

Case Study: Zimbabwe’s Survey Fusion

One of the most promising real-world examples comes from Zimbabwe. Researchers developed a joint Multilevel Regression & Poststratification (jMRP) model that fuses high-frequency mobile survey data from WFP’s mVAM with annual face-to-face surveys conducted by ZimVAC. Mobile phone data alone is fast but imprecise, while in-person surveys are accurate but slow. The fused model corrects for bias, narrows uncertainty and produces monthly, district-level estimates of food insecurity.

It allowed agencies to detect worsening conditions in specific regions before new survey rounds arrived—a major step toward real-time hunger monitoring. This illustrates how predictive famine modeling can combine imperfect but frequent data with slower, more accurate surveys to produce actionable insights.

Challenges and Blind Spots

However, predictive famine modeling is not a silver bullet. Conflict zones and remote areas often remain invisible because reliable surveys cannot be conducted there. Bias is another issue: phone surveys exclude people without access to mobile technology and news-based models can be distorted by unequal media coverage.

Proxy data also have limitations—crop stress or rainfall deficits do not always translate into hunger if aid, markets or remittances intervene. And even the best predictions cannot guarantee action: humanitarian actors face funding shortfalls, logistics challenges and political barriers that can prevent aid from reaching people on time.

Looking Ahead: From Bytes To Bites

Despite these challenges, the potential of predictive models is clear. With climate shocks, conflict and economic crises overlapping, early warnings are more necessary than ever. Experts argue three steps are critical: expanding data coverage through community surveys, integrating forecasts directly into aid planning to trigger cash transfers or prepositioned supplies and securing reliable funding so warnings are acted upon rather than ignored.

Ultimately, the goal is to turn “bytes into bites.” Predictive famine modeling is not the same as preventing hunger. However, with better data and stronger response systems, famine need not arrive silently. If early warnings can be matched with early action, the world could finally begin to stop famine before it strikes.

– Diane Dunlop

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Fighting Food Insecurity in Georgia

Fighting Food Insecurity in Georgia Georgia, a country located between Europe and Asia, has seen steady improvements in poverty and food insecurity. However, recent events including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, mean that actively fighting these issues is still essential.

Food Insecurity in Georgia

The New Humanitarian reported in 2022 that while Georgia typically did not experience high levels of food insecurity due to its reliance on Russia and Ukraine, the war between the two has caused food insecurity and poverty to rise. Wheat imports to Georgia were significantly reduced after the start of the war, with “105,000 tons in the first three quarters, compared to 283,000 tons in 2021 and 368,700 tons in 2020,” and 30% of people who responded to a poll in Georgia said they could not afford the food they needed every month.

More recent statistics from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) show that of Georgia’s 3.7 million population, 11.8% were living below the national poverty line. Additionally, between 2021 and 2023, 4% of the total population was undernourished. While food insecurity and undernourishment are not as high in children, with 0.6% malnourished (wasting), the Global Hunger Index reports that the growth of 5.1% of children under the age of 5 is stunted and 0.9% of children die before turning 5. Therefore, while Georgia ranks low on the Global Hunger Index, fighting food insecurity in Georgia remains essential.

Organizations Making a Difference in Georgia

While food insecurity remains a problem, numerous charities and organizations are working to tackle the issue. Action Against Hunger has 34 employees in Georgia and has worked to reduce food insecurity in the country since 1993. In 2024, it helped 35,460 people. The organization focuses particularly on helping Ukrainian refugees in Georgia, providing food and hygiene support to 886 refugees. The organization also tackles food insecurity at its source by supporting projects focused on job creation and agricultural livelihood training so that families experiencing poverty and food insecurity become more self-reliant.

Another organization fighting food insecurity in Georgia is People in Need, which collaborated with the European Union in launching Georgia’s first food bank initiative. This program takes a sustainable approach by redistributing unsold food to those in need. It also addresses the causes of food insecurity, not only by reducing food waste through community-level awareness campaigns but also by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and farm losses.

Looking Forward

Through the continued efforts of these organizations dedicated to fighting food insecurity in Georgia, the percentage of those in the country experiencing hunger has stayed low. However, due to the unpredictability of the Russia-Ukraine war, it is crucial that these organizations continue to receive support so they can carry on their important work.

– Victoria Adrados

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

Photo: Flickr

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How US Support Is Tackling Hunger and Malnutrition in Kenya

Hunger and Malnutrition in KenyaKenya faces a persistent hunger and malnutrition crisis, with more than 18.7 million people, more than one-third of the population, undernourished. Recurring droughts, floods and disease outbreaks exacerbate this process. However, United States (U.S.) foreign aid alleviates this situation through various programs and initiatives.

US Humanitarian Assistance in Kenya

In response to the 2023 Horn of Africa drought, the U.S. government, through USAID, provided nearly $310 million in humanitarian assistance to Kenya. This funding supported emergency food aid, nutrition programs and resilience-building activities.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been instrumental in combating child malnutrition in Kenya through the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program. In 2023, this program supplied U.S.-grown food to more than 650,000 children across more than 2,000 schools, ensuring they receive nutritious meals that support their education and overall well-being.

Addressing Acute Malnutrition

Acute malnutrition remains a significant concern, particularly among children under 5. As of October 2023, approximately 847,000 children in Kenya were facing acute malnutrition. U.S. aid contributes to programs that provide therapeutic feeding, micronutrient supplementation and community-based nutrition interventions to address this issue.

Supporting Refugees and Vulnerable Populations

Kenya hosts a substantial refugee population, many of whom are at heightened risk of food insecurity. In 2024, the U.S. government allocated $37 million to support refugees in Kenya, enabling the World Food Programme (WFP) to increase food rations and resume cash transfers in camps like Dadaab and Kakuma. These efforts are crucial in preventing malnutrition and promoting the self-reliance of displaced individuals.

Challenges and Ongoing Needs

Despite these efforts, challenges persist. The Global Hunger Index 2024 categorizes Kenya’s hunger level as “serious,” with indicators such as child stunting and undernourishment remaining high. Moreover, recent U.S. aid cuts have led to significant reductions in food assistance for refugees, with some receiving only 28% of the recommended food rations, putting vulnerable populations at further risk.

Funding shortfalls have also become a pressing challenge. In recent years, reductions in U.S. aid have forced humanitarian organizations to scale back food assistance. Such shortfalls endanger vulnerable populations and risk undoing years of progress in improving food security. Without sustained investment, cycles of hunger and malnutrition in Kenya could worsen, especially during climate shocks.

Another obstacle is climate instability. Kenya’s heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture makes its population highly vulnerable to droughts and floods. Extreme weather events have become more frequent, damaging crops, killing livestock and reducing access to safe water. While humanitarian assistance can provide short-term relief, long-term resilience requires greater investment in sustainable farming practices, climate adaptation and diversified food systems.

U.S. programs that combine food assistance with resilience-building measures are therefore vital. However, their reach remains limited compared to the scale of the crisis.

Looking Forward

The partnership between the U.S. and Kenya shows the importance of international cooperation in fighting hunger. U.S. assistance has helped millions of Kenyans access life-saving food, reduced rates of acute malnutrition among children and supported education through school meals. Often among the hardest hit, refugees have also benefited from direct food aid and cash transfers that restore dignity and choice in how families feed themselves.

Still, the persistence of hunger in Kenya serves as a reminder that humanitarian aid cannot be the only solution. Addressing root causes—poverty, inequality, climate instability and fragile health systems—is essential for long-term progress. Programs that integrate food assistance with agricultural development, women’s empowerment and climate adaptation can create more sustainable outcomes. The U.S., alongside Kenyan institutions and international partners, will need to continue expanding investments in these areas to prevent recurring food crises.

Ultimately, U.S. foreign aid is more than just emergency relief—it is an investment in human potential and stability. By ensuring children are well-nourished, families are food-secure and communities are resilient, these efforts contribute to Kenya’s broader development goals. While challenges remain, ongoing U.S. support provides a foundation of hope that Kenya can reduce hunger and malnutrition, even in the face of climate and economic pressures.

– Skylar Roy

Skylar is based in Carlsbad, California, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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US aid fighting hunger in Kenya

hunger in kenyaKenya faces a persistent hunger and malnutrition crisis, with more than 18.7 million people, more than one-third of the population, undernourished. Recurring droughts, floods and disease outbreaks exacerbate this process. However, U.S. foreign aid alleviates this situation through various programs and initiatives.

US Humanitarian Assistance in Kenya

In response to the 2023 Horn of Africa drought, the U.S. government, through USAID, provided nearly $310 million in humanitarian assistance to Kenya. This funding supported emergency food aid, nutrition programs and resilience-building activities.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been instrumental in combating child malnutrition in Kenya through the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program. In 2023, this program supplied U.S.-grown food to more than 650,000 children across more than 2,000 schools, ensuring they receive nutritious meals that support their education and overall well-being.

Addressing Acute Malnutrition

Acute malnutrition remains a significant concern, particularly among children under 5. As of October 2023, approximately 847,000 children in Kenya were facing acute malnutrition. U.S. aid contributes to programs that provide therapeutic feeding, micronutrient supplementation and community-based nutrition interventions to address this issue.

Kenya hosts a substantial refugee population, many of whom are at heightened risk of food insecurity. In 2024, the U.S. government allocated $37 million to support refugees in Kenya, enabling the World Food Programme (WFP) to increase food rations and resume cash transfers in camps like Dadaab and Kakuma. These efforts are crucial in preventing malnutrition and promoting the self-reliance of displaced individuals.

Challenges and Ongoing Needs

Despite these efforts, challenges persist. The Global Hunger Index 2024 categorizes Kenya’s hunger level as “serious,” with indicators such as child stunting and undernourishment remaining high. Moreover, recent U.S. aid cuts have led to significant reductions in food assistance for refugees, with some receiving only 28% of the recommended food rations, putting vulnerable populations at further risk.

Funding shortfalls have also become a pressing challenge. In recent years, reductions in U.S. aid have forced humanitarian organizations to scale back food assistance. Such shortfalls endanger vulnerable populations and risk undoing years of progress in improving food security. Without sustained investment, cycles of hunger and malnutrition could worsen, especially during weather shocks.

Another obstacle is climate instability. Kenya’s heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture makes its population highly vulnerable to droughts and floods. Extreme weather events have become more frequent, damaging crops, killing livestock and reducing access to safe water. While humanitarian assistance can provide short-term relief, long-term resilience requires greater investment in sustainable farming practices, climate adaptation and diversified food systems.

U.S. programs that combine food assistance with resilience-building measures are therefore vital. However, their reach remains limited compared to the scale of the crisis.

Looking Forward

The partnership between the U.S. and Kenya shows the importance of international cooperation in fighting hunger. U.S. assistance has helped millions of Kenyans access life-saving food, reduced rates of acute malnutrition among children and supported education through school meals. Often among the hardest hit, refugees have also benefited from direct food aid and cash transfers that restore dignity and choice in how families feed themselves.

Still, the persistence of hunger in Kenya serves as a reminder that humanitarian aid cannot be the only solution. Addressing root causes—poverty, inequality, weather instability and fragile health systems—is essential for long-term progress. Programs that integrate food assistance with agricultural development, women’s empowerment and climate adaptation can create more sustainable outcomes. The U.S., alongside Kenyan institutions and international partners, will need to continue expanding investments in these areas to prevent recurring food crises.

Ultimately, U.S. foreign aid is more than just emergency relief—it is an investment in human potential and stability. By ensuring children are well-nourished, families are food-secure and communities are resilient, these efforts contribute to Kenya’s broader development goals. While challenges remain, ongoing U.S. support provides a foundation of hope that Kenya can reduce hunger and malnutrition, even in the face of climate and economic pressures.

– Skylar Roy

Skylar is based in Carlsbad, CA, U.S.A and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Causes and Solutions to Hunger in Kenya

Hunger in KenyaPoverty is on the rise. It is a worldwide problem, but Africa’s hardest hit area is the sub-Saharan region. According to the World Food Program (WFP), about half of those living in extreme poverty live in this region. Kenya is among the nations in that region.

Poverty and Hunger in Kenya

Poverty manifests in many ways, including hunger. Around 30% of Kenya’s population lives in poverty. Households headed by women have a poverty rate of 35.3%. Male-headed households, in comparison, have a poverty rate of 32.6%. According to the Kenya Poverty Report, a third of the children in Kenya are food poor. Poverty rates for youth are higher in rural areas. According to the WFP, 29% of the children in rural Kenya are stunted due to malnutrition.

The causes of poverty in Kenya include natural disasters and economic shocks. Lower-than-average rainfall has affected Kenya’s agricultural and pastoral areas for several years. This drought has affected livestock as well as crop production. On the other end of the pendulum, flooding destroyed whole towns and villages, displacing more than 280,000 people. It killed more than 260 people in 2024. Livestock and other crops were lost.

These climate crises affect adequate food availability, increasing prices and sending more people toward poverty. Another factor affecting Kenya’s ability to feed its people is the conflict in Ukraine. Kenya is dependent on fertilizer imported from Russia. When the conflict began, Russia no longer sent fertilizer to Kenya. COVID-19 also affected Kenya’s economy, as it relies heavily on tourism.

The Kenyan government has committed to addressing the problem through agriculture. It has lifted the ban on open cultivation of genetically modified crops, eased food import restrictions and imported animal feed to reduce hunger in Kenya.

Boosting Kenyan Agriculture and Food Security

The Borgen Project interviewed Sterling Brown, a senior at Southern University majoring in Agricultural Business. He traveled to Kenya to learn about different agricultural methods and share knowledge with local farmers. According to Brown, agriculture is the largest sector of the Kenyan economy. He highlights the following solutions to address food insecurity and hunger in Kenya:

  • Integration farming. Using all available resources, including livestock and organic matter. This includes using manure as fertilizer (instead of importing fertilizer).
  • Microorganism growth. The inclusion of microorganisms in the soil enhances soil quality. Better soil leads to better crops.
  • Intercropping. This farming practice involves growing multiple crops in the same field. Different crops have different strengths, which helps improve soil quality.
  • Agroforestry. This is a sustainable agricultural practice and land management system. Farmers plant trees and then grow crops between and beside them. It creates a farming ecosystem. The trees counteract the effects of flooding, soil erosion and biodiversity loss.

In addition to the farming practices highlighted above, he and his team encouraged local farmers in Chuka and East Chuka, Kenya, to export their native crops, including avocados. This could boost their economy and provide another path out of poverty. They also held workshops and provided rootstocks, demonstrating how to plant and maintain them.

Brown is part of a program called the 1890 Center of Excellence, a collaboration between Southern University, the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff (UAPB), Chuka University and Kenyatta University in Kenya. According to Brown, this collaboration, combined with the Kenyan government’s interventions, new sustainability mandates and significant agricultural investment, is a step in the right direction.

– Danielle Milano

Danielle is based in Pineville, LA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels