Archive for category: Hunger

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US Aid to Nigeria: $32.5 Million To Fight Hunger

US Aid to NigeriaIn 2025, the U.S. approved $32.5 million in humanitarian aid to Nigeria to respond to one of the country’s worst hunger crises in decades. The U.S. aid to Nigeria will reach more than 764,000 individuals. It will deliver food supplies, nutritional supplements for malnourished children and support for pregnant and breastfeeding women. This package underscores the U.S.’s continued role in addressing global poverty, even amid broader cuts to foreign aid.

By targeting food insecurity in conflict-affected regions, the initiative highlights how American humanitarian assistance provides immediate relief while promoting stability and advancing long-term development goals.

The Hunger Crisis in Nigeria

Nigeria is experiencing a severe hunger crisis, with 30.6 million people unable to obtain enough food. On top of that, 17 million children are suffering from malnutrition, the second-highest number in the world. About 300,000 children are at risk as a result of the closure of more than 150 nutrition clinics in the states of Borno and Yobe due to a lack of funding.

Supply chains have been disrupted by insecurity. Many families can no longer afford the high cost of food due to inadequate infrastructure, high transportation expenses and significant post-harvest losses of up to 50%. Despite these obstacles, farmers continue planting in areas of relative stability. Local food is being processed and sold by women-led projects and youth-led logistics projects are starting to take shape.

U.S. aid to Nigeria will reach those who need it most. It will also strengthen local markets and agricultural systems by combining locally sourced food, cash-based assistance and targeted support for displaced populations.

The World Food Programme’s Role in Nigeria

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the largest humanitarian organization in the world. WFP helps communities recover from economic shocks, natural disasters and conflict while providing life-saving food assistance during emergencies. WFP works to improve nutrition, support smallholder farmers and strengthen local food systems in more than 120 countries.

Where possible, WFP pairs short-term assistance with livelihood programs. These programs help displaced people develop food processing, aquaculture and tailoring skills, providing them with opportunities for long-term stability. Beyond these, WFP coordinates logistics for more than 90 humanitarian organizations, provides secure communications and emergency connectivity. It also manages the U.N. Humanitarian Air Service to deliver relief supplies and personnel to isolated communities.

WFP is primarily funded by voluntary donations from governments, organizations, businesses and individuals. The nonprofit collaborates with the government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), U.N. agencies and private sector partners to reach vulnerable populations in Nigeria. The organization has effectively decreased child malnutrition in Nigeria and offers emergency food assistance.

WFP works alongside the Nigerian government to strengthen food security policies, expand the country’s nationally owned school feeding program and build shock-responsive social protection systems.

How US Aid to Nigeria Will Address the Hunger Crisis

Despite significant cuts to U.S. foreign aid, Washington has made a new commitment. This support targets Nigeria’s northeast and northwest regions, where conflict and displacement have deepened food insecurity for hundreds of thousands. The funding arrives at a critical moment, as the WFP had warned of suspending operations due to resource shortages.

Nigeria has “unprecedented” levels of hunger, with millions at risk of malnutrition, according to WFP’s Regional Director for West Africa, Margot van der Velden. By channeling resources through WFP, the U.S. contribution helps stabilize communities on the brink of famine while reinforcing broader international efforts to support Nigeria in its hunger crisis.

– Isaac Nelson

Isaac is based in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Preserving Tomorrow: Senegal’s Commitment To Fighting Hunger

Senegal’s Commitment To Fighting HungerThe concept of food preservation has existed for thousands of years, keeping communities alive during hungry seasons by preventing the immediate spoilage of fruits, meats and vegetables. Common methods of food preservation include freezing, drying, pickling, fermenting, curing, canning and creating jams and jellies.

Due to the extreme climate in Senegal, food preservation is vital for staying nourished. However, with limited access to ice and cooling methods, many Senegalese rely on sun-drying, solar drying, canning and fermentation to preserve foods. These challenges have never stopped Senegal’s commitment to fighting hunger.

Food Preservation in Senegal: Hot Water-Bath Canning

Despite its intense climate, Senegal is rich in food diversity, offering meals that include fish, beef, lamb, chicken, vegetables and rice. However, access to these foods can vary by region, making preservation essential. Commonly preserved foods in Senegal include fish, such as African catfish and fruits and vegetables.

The Borgen Project spoke with Dr. Rudd, an Agricultural, Leadership and Community Education professor at Virginia Tech, about his experiences with hot water bath canning in Senegal. “Hot water-bath canning is relatively easy to do with low-cost inputs,” explains Rudd. “Pressure canning is another option, but [it] requires specialized equipment and expertise.”

The Illuminate Project

Rudd shared his experiences with the Illuminate Project, a USDA-funded initiative that trains selected undergraduate students from Virginia Tech and Tennessee State University in proper hot water bath canning techniques. The project also partners with the University of Bambey in Senegal, where students work with local communities to teach food preservation methods such as canning tomatoes and mango sauce.

The Illuminate Project, a four-year effort, has supplied the University of Bambey with more than 1,000 jars and 10,000 lids to support the education of hot water bath canning in Senegal. When asked about the impact he has seen food preservation have in Senegal, Rudd answered, “Women are adopting the technology and using it in their homes and some have actually started selling canned products. It adds months of availability of preferred food to households.”

Policies in Senegal That Support Food Preservation

Senegal has implemented many policies in support of food security, preservation and general safety. With agriculture being recognized as a staple in Senegal’s economy, policies have significantly increased, reinforcing its importance. These policies further solidify Senegal’s commitment to fighting hunger.

The Food Security Support Project (PASA) was created to combat climate instability and the lack of government assistance, two components significantly affecting Senegal’s agriculture. Established in 2013, this project has assisted more than 30,000 farmers, providing them with methods to increase production, resulting in higher sales.

Over four years, rice farmers have seen their yields almost triple, allowing them to invest in other aspects of life. Although PASA does not directly help with food preservation, it creates conditions for effective and efficient food preservation, further supporting Senegal’s commitment to fighting hunger.

Senegal’s Food Safety Law 68-48 and its 1999 Decree establish regulations to ensure the safety of fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products. Under this policy, fresh produce is required to meet minimum safety requirements. This also encourages farmers to use proper food preservation practices, prioritizing the safety of consumers.

Final Notes

Food preservation plays a key role in ensuring stability in communities. With external factors such as extreme climates and limited resources, food preservation becomes even more important to Senegal’s commitment to fighting hunger. Preserving foods results in extended shelf life, consistent nutritional value and reduced waste.

– Casey Relyea

Casey is based in Moneta, VA, USA and focuses on Celebs and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pxhere

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Hunger in Portugal

Hunger in PortugalPortugal is widely recognized for its high quality of life, ranking 19th globally according to U.S. News. The country has universal access to clean drinking water, near-universal sanitation, a literacy rate of 97% as of 2021 and a life expectancy nearing 83 years, according to the World Bank. As a member of the European Union and a nation, Portugal is celebrated for its economic stability, vibrant culture and societal progression. But, despite these successes, hunger and food insecurity remain persistent issues that affect thousands of Portuguese families. 

Poverty’s Persistence

Portugal’s GDP per capita has risen to around $30,000 as of 2024 (an $8,000 increase since 2014, and unemployment has dropped substantially to 6.4 % as of 2024. These statistics reflect impressive progress compared to a decade ago, when the country was still emerging from a financial crisis that left many residents of Portugal in poverty. However, poverty and food insecurity continue to affect vulnerable groups. In 2023, roughly 16.6 % of the population was at risk of poverty. 

The Face of Food Insecurity

Official estimates from Portugal’s National Statistics Institute show that around 4.1 % of the population faces moderate or severe food insecurity. They also report that in 2024, 1.7 % of people reported having felt hungry without having eaten at some point within the 12 months before they were interviewed. 

Children in particular are at high risk. Published in 2025, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 4,737 children living in Portugal. The results of the study showed that 13.2 % of children were living in households considered food insecure. Alarmingly, 25.5 % of those households included children who were overweight/obese. This emphasizes the relationship between poverty, poor nutrition and physical health. 

Policies and The Future

In recent years, food insecurity has become an increasingly prominent issue both globally and within Portugal. This has prompted many coordinated efforts to ensure that vulnerable populations have sufficient access to nutritious food. Fortunately, Portugal has taken important steps to address food insecurity. Through its participation in the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023-2027, Portugal is investing in sustainable farming, food security and rural development. Social programs and local charities, including food banks, play a vital role in supporting food-insecure families. 

One of the largest food banks in Portugal is the Banco Alimentar Contra a Fome (Food Bank Against Hunger). The bank is a nationwide network of 21 nonprofit food banks that fight against food waste and hunger in Portugal. They recover surplus food from producers, retailers, and public donations. Additionally, they hold biannual campaigns and run daily food collection efforts to help support families in need. Amazingly, the food bank collected enough food items to provide about 400,000 people with baskets or prepared meals.  

Globally, hunger declined slightly in 2024, yet it is still a pressing issue. Approximately 733 million people face chronic hunger worldwide as of 2023. On paper, Portugal’s hunger statistics appear relatively low compared to global figures. However, for many families, food insecurity is persistent and dominates their lives. With continued efforts, Portugal could further reduce hunger and ensure that all families have access to the nutrition they need.

– Ashton Christo

Ashton is based in Baltimore, MD, USA and focuses on World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Brazil’s Removal From the Hunger Map

Brazil's Removal From the Hunger MapOn Monday, July 28, 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) removed Brazil from the U.N. Hunger map. Being on the Hunger Map means that most of the country’s population does not have regular access to enough food for a healthy life. Brazil was able to exit the hunger map due to Brazil’s government prioritizing poverty, stimulating job and income generation, supporting family farming, strengthening school feeding and creating access to healthy food.

Many plans, programs and initiatives were implemented to achieve Brazil’s removal from the Hunger Map. These plans include:

  • Food Supply National Plan, also known as “Food on the Plate.”
  • Agroecology and Organic Production National Plan (PLANAPO).
  • Arroz de gente (“Our Rice” Program).
  • Renovation and Modernization of Conab Warehouses.
  • Leasing of spaces at the São Paulo General Warehouse and Wholesale Company.
  • Public notice for the modernization of Food Banks at wholesale markets.
  • Strengthening territorial arrangements for the production and distribution of healthy foods.

The Food on the Plate and the PLANAPO Programs

The Food on the Plate,” and the PLANAPO plans were all created to ensure food on the table for all Brazilians. The programs also seek to minimize poverty by building a resilient and sustainable food production system that uplifts small-scale farmers, agriculture cooperatives and community-based associations. Central to this vision is a national commitment to ending hunger, ensuring equitable access to nutritious food for all, while promoting environmental health and local empowerment.

Rice Production and the Zero Hunger Strategy

Our Rice Program provides low-interest credit and technical support to small producers while supplying rice to solidarity kitchens and food-insecure populations, helping those in poverty. The renovation of the Conab warehouse increases grain intake capacity, improves food logistics and reduces spoilage. Meanwhile, the leasing of spaces enhances the distribution of fresh produce to urban areas. It stimulates economic activity and job creation through expanded vendor participation.

In parallel, the modernization of food banks, which is aligned with the national “Food on the Plate” plan, upgrades the infrastructure for food recovery and redistribution. This initiative helps redirect surplus food to vulnerable populations, improving efficiency and equity in the food system. These programs promote sustainability, reduce hunger and strengthen Brazil’s resilience against economic and environmental disruptions.

Brazil also implemented the zero hunger strategy, which allows access to adequate food, agricultural support, income-generating activities and social participation. These plans and programs allowed Brazil to leave the Hunger Map and helped many underserved communities.

Conclusion

Brazil’s removal from the Hunger Map marks a transformative milestone in its fight against poverty and food insecurity. The country has shown that systematic change is possible when policy meets community needs through strategies like sustainable agriculture, modernized infrastructure and inclusive social programs.

Initiatives like Food on the Plate, PLANAPO and Arroz de Gente improved food access, empowered small producers and revitalized local economies. Brazil’s success story offers a powerful model for other nations grappling with hunger, proving that hunger can be eradicated with political will, innovation and grassroots engagement.

– Karisma Polly

Karisma is based in Sunrise, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Collapsed Food Systems in Sudan: How 80 Cents Can Help

Food Systems in SudanAs Sudan’s civil conflict enters its third year, health conditions have sharply deteriorated as the collapse of the food systems in Sudan has overwhelmed them. The country is currently facing the world’s largest hunger crisis, with 24.6 million individuals experiencing food insecurity. The civil war has devastated the Sudanese economy, agricultural livelihoods and food markets, particularly in North Darfur and the Western Nuba Mountains. The level of internally displaced people, an estimated 9 million people, fleeing an extreme threat to life, has further exacerbated the famine.

Inside the Crumbling Food Systems in Sudan

The food systems in Sudan heavily rely on local agricultural production, with two-thirds of the population relying on self-sufficient farming. Destruction of agricultural infrastructure and the forced displacement of individuals have halted the population’s ability to plant and harvest, often fleeing to food deserts to escape the violence of civil war. In 2024, reports indicated that many farmers were consuming the grain they would typically use to sow their land to alleviate starvation. The stark economic decline and government-enforced trade restrictions with neighboring countries have further increased food scarcity, driving up the price of food and limiting access. 

More than 8.1 million Sudanese are currently facing emergency levels of famine on the Integrated Food Security Phase Classifications (IPC), meaning households are experiencing large food consumption gaps reflected in higher mortality and acute malnutrition. Cholera cases have also skyrocketed due to a lack of access to clean, safe drinking water. Officials have recorded an estimated 32,000 cases of the illness since the beginning of the year. UNICEF has determined these findings alarming as they come during harvest season, when malnutrition is traditionally at its lowest. Children are the most at risk of health complications from acute malnutrition and cholera, as many have lost their parents or guardians. IPC has warned that authorities must take action now, as observers expect the crisis to deteriorate further due to the rainy season from July to September, which causes hindrances to travel.

Dangerous Humanitarian Conditions

Since the beginning of the conflict, man-made blockades, logistical challenges, lack of security in high-conflict areas and restricted access have disrupted vital humanitarian access. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Program (WFP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) urge a ceasefire in the region and urge world leaders to scale up their spending on humanitarian operations. The cease-fire would allow humanitarian workers to safely reach the five regions currently experiencing famine, and hopefully deter this with an impending threat of spreading to an additional 17 regions in Sudan. The WFP is currently supporting more than 6.5 million Sudanese suffering from food insecurity; however, its operations require an estimated $642 USD to continue until November 2025.

ShareTheMeal, A Smartphone App Fighting Hunger

In 2015, WFP staffers Sebastian Stricker and Bernhard Kowatsch founded ShareTheMeal to make fighting hunger accessible to everyone. The application enables users to crowdfund as little as a donation of $0.80 USD to share a meal, made in their respective currencies and languages, to support WFP’s various humanitarian aid operations. In 2020, ShareTheMeal gained global recognition when it won Google’s App for Good award and Apple’s Making a Difference category. Currently, people have shared more than 250 million meals and contributed to 126 WFP operations. The UN’s micro-donation app is presently spearheading a Sudan initiative to help families fleeing the conflict. Since the conflict escalation in 2023, donations have already reached 98% of the 5 million meals shared goal. These meals are nutritionally focused, featuring rice, flour, vegetable oil, lentils, beans and salt.

Looking Ahead

Despite recent improvements in Sudan, the escalation of violence, the rainy season and the pullback on foreign aid, due to other crises like the famine in Palestine, have created harsher conditions in the third year of this civil war. Humanitarian organizations urge that the quiet famine will continue without the bolstering and continual funding of aid programs, which aim not only to reverse the widespread malnutrition but also to rebuild the inner food systems in Sudan, creating sustainable change.

– Elsa van Blokland

Elsa is based in Quebec, Canada and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Hunger and Trauma Among Rohingya Children

Hunger and Trauma Among Rohingya ChildrenIn the world’s largest refugee settlement in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, the crisis impacting the Rohingya children is double-edged: widespread hunger and deep psychological trauma. The good news is that proven, scalable solutions range from community-run nutrition services to play-based mental health support. With sustained funding, addressing hunger and trauma among Rohingya children is not a slogan; it’s an achievable goal.

Keeping Children Alive With Integrated Nutrition Services

UNICEF and its partners operate Integrated Nutrition Facilities within the camps. There, children below the age of 5 are routinely weighed and measured, screened with MUAC colour tapes and put on treatment plans. In 2021, these facilities treated 6,923 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

The organization exceeded its annual target, providing ready-to-use therapeutic food, deworming treatments and follow-up care. It also offered counseling for parents on breastfeeding and complementary feeding, reaching 14,000 pregnant and lactating mothers with infant and young child feeding support. Indeed, these cost-effective, life-saving services are making a real difference.

Restoring Food Rations and Protecting Nutrition Budgets

When rations are cut, hunger spikes quickly. New International Rescue Committee (IRC) data reveal that between 2022 and 2023, the number of Rohingya refugees without adequate food jumped from 44% to 70%. Nearly half of young children displayed physical signs of malnutrition and fewer than one in six children ate three meals daily.

Restoring rations to prior levels and ensuring predictable funding would immediately blunt wasting and protect child development, whilst addressing hunger and trauma among Rohingya children.

Healing in Crisis

A large randomized controlled trial tested BRAC’s Home-Based Humanitarian Play Lab (HPL), which offered weekly peer-led sessions for Rohingya mothers and children under 2. The program significantly improved mothers’ mental well-being. It enhanced children’s developmental outcomes through simple, low-cost activities led by trained Rohingya “Mother Volunteers.” In settings where specialist care is scarce, HPL provides a practical, scalable way to deliver psychosocial support.

Similarly, BRAC’s broader Humanitarian Play Lab approach is home-based for ages 0–3 and centre-based for ages 3–5. It creates safe, culturally rooted spaces where trained Rohingya Play Leaders guide activities. These activities build language, problem-solving skills and resilience. Furthermore, evaluations in Cox’s Bazar show gains in children’s development and improvements in maternal mental health. The model is now being adapted to other countries, offering the kind of community-powered intervention donors can scale.

Furthermore, child-friendly spaces run with UNICEF support give children predictable routines to play, learn and feel safe. This is critical in protecting them from toxic stress. These hubs are also entry points for early learning, protection, nutrition and health services referrals.

Nutrition + Mental Health = Better Outcomes

None of these solutions works in isolation. In December 2021, UNICEF Bangladesh reported that one-third of Rohingya children under 5 were stunted due to poor diets and repeated illness. Combining nutrition services with caregiver counseling and play-based psychosocial support multiplies impact, helping children recover physically while stimulating their brains for long-term learning and well-being. Trained Rohingya community members are already delivering this integrated package.

– Arabella D’Aniello

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

Photo: Flickr

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Everything To Know About Hunger in Argentina 

Hunger in ArgentinaArgentina’s wealth was once the envy of the world. That is no longer the case. The perma–crises of the past 70 years have left the country’s economy in turmoil. Plagued by untamed inflation, poverty rates reached a 20-year high in 2024, with extreme hunger in Argentina peaking alongside it. To give a sense of the problem’s scale, a 2024 UN report found that the proportion of Argentines experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity had nearly doubled over the previous seven years, reaching 36%. A separate UNICEF report of the same year said more than 1 million children a day are skipping meals due to their families not being able to afford food. 

How Argentina Reached This Point

Hunger and poverty go hand in hand. Through the 20th century, the country that was once the jewel in Latin America’s economic crown faced an endless torrent of political instability in the form of coups, populist leaders and most devastatingly a military dictatorship. This instability left the country scarred and flailing. The financial crash of 2001 immediately dispelled any hopes that the start of the 21st century would be kinder to Argentina than the back-half of the 20th had been. The results of the crash still haunt the country today.

Inflation has been the primary bugbear of the Argentine economy. In April 2024, it surpassed a staggering 289% year-on-year. The economic libertarian Javier Milei took office in December 2023 with plans to reign in the country’s out-of-control economy. His strict austerity measures have helped pull back inflation to a five-year low, now under relative control (by Argentine standards), with prices going up just 1.5% in May. But as state spending tightened, poverty rose, as did hunger in Argentina.

In the first half of 2024, the number of Argentines living in poverty reached 52.9%, up from 41.7% in the back half of the previous year. Indec reported that the Basic Food Basket (BCA) rose by 18.6% in January 2024 and by 296.4% over the previous twelve months –– outpacing overall inflation, which stood at 254.2% over the same period. Meanwhile, the Neighborhood Price Index (IBP) from the Social, Economic and Citizen Policy Research Institute (ISEPCi) indicated that food prices surged by up to 69.7% from December 2023 to March 2024. As a result, 52% of households with children reported not purchasing essential foods due to financial hardship.

Solutions

As noted, Milei’s tight monetary controls and slashing of the state have to date been a double-edged sword. Cutting inflation was much-needed, but critics claim this approach has worsened life for Argentina’s already beleaguered lower-classes. Meanwhile, organizations like Food Banks Argentina (FBA) are working to counteract hunger in Argentina. FBA is a non-profit civil association that brings together food banks across the country. It operates in all major provinces and relies on a national network of 14,000+ volunteers to coordinate logistics, food rescue and delivery.

Through food recovery and efficient distribution, FBA provides nutritious meals to those who need them most. In 2024, it delivered more than 63 million plates of food, provided support to 4,449 social organizations and prevented the emission of more than 2 million kg of CO2 by rescuing fruits and vegetables, around 45% of which are usually wasted during production and distribution.

The Results

According to the latest national figures, Argentina’s poverty rate dropped to 38.1% in the back half of 2024. Milei has claimed this as evidence that his strict economic measures are having the desired effect. As of right now, it is too soon to say if he is right.

Regardless, Argentina’s extreme poverty –– and by proxy its extreme hunger –– is not going to disappear overnight as the result of any one measure or the work of any one organization. Any long-term solution to hunger in Argentina will require a multi-pronged approach that pairs sustained economic stability with robust social safety nets and stronger support for local initiatives fighting food insecurity on the ground. Organizations like FBA will play a pivotal part in that.

– Robert Darke

Robert is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Tackling Food Waste In Indonesia

Food Waste In IndonesiaAccording to the 2025 International Database Census, Indonesia has the fourth-largest population globally, with more than 283 million people living in the lush “Emerald of the Equator.” Compared to other populated nations in Asia, like India or Bangladesh, Indonesia has a relatively low population density—aside from the island of Java—with civilians spread across the different provinces of the archipelago. That said, Indonesia still has the highest population among the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), creating both challenges and opportunities for sustainable living.

Historically, Indonesia has had difficulty maintaining a sustainable relationship with food consumption, as well as with lumber, fossil fuels, land use and water. Even though Indonesia may appear to have enough resources to provide for everyone, more than 8% of its population—about 24 million people—lives in poverty. While facing numerous ecological issues and overconsumption, Indonesian federal policymakers have attempted to address these problems while managing other environmental challenges that have arisen in recent years.

Causes of Food Waste in Indonesia

On the surface, food waste may seem like an issue that can be tackled easily. However, many developed nations, especially the most populated ones, have had continuous trouble adapting to cultural factors, logistical issues and faulty manufacturing. For Indonesia specifically, these issues, along with harvest losses and the country’s climate, speed up the process of food waste compared to other nations.

Harvest loss is a detrimental issue for Indonesian produce farmers because significant amounts of their crops are lost before reaching the market due to a lack of access to modern technologies for harvesting, processing and storing crops. When these crops face exposure to Indonesia’s constant humid climate, the conditions quickly cause spoilage, either before or after they reach a retailer.

When citizens of Indonesia search for produce at vendors or markets, perceptions of food quality often influence high food waste. Much of consumer behavior has progressively been influenced by Western consumption patterns that suggest a lack of interest in food that may not appear aesthetically pleasing, leading to the discarding of large amounts of food. Unfortunately, this cultural phenomenon of waste does not only reside on the individual level.

According to information reported by news portal Tempo, the biggest contribution to wasted food comes from hotels, restaurants, catering, supermarkets and the behavior of people who like to leave their food. Aksamala Foundation research results in 2016 showed that 35% of restaurants in Jakarta throw away excess unsold food per day, with an average of 2-3 kilograms per restaurant. 

Consequences of Food Waste

Plenty of consequences have emerged from overconsumption, most notably food insecurity. When retailers have limited access to fresh produce or when produce spoils quickly, prices can rise due to supply issues. Although Indonesia may remain one of the world’s largest food producers, the amount of waste, if managed properly, can meet the food needs of more than 3 billion people; it still faces challenges within its supply chain when delivering food to those in impoverished areas who require immediate access to quality nourishment. Environmental and economic impacts are the two other major consequences of food waste.

The World Bank assessed in 2019 that Indonesia lost $29 billion in one year due to food waste. Furthermore, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has conducted a study that food waste accounts for 8% of greenhouse gas emissions, not to mention the amount of natural resources that go to waste when growing produce that immediately gets thrown out.

Spearheading a Sustainable Change

As of 2024, Indonesia has lowered its food waste per capita to 51.95 kg, compared to 2021 when the waste per capita was 75.66 kg. When tackling these issues, Indonesia relied on technological and digitalization methods, including artificial intelligence (AI) networks that can identify patterns, predict the molecular structure of bioactive compounds and predict the expiration of a commodity.

Other methods, such as data systems, have proven useful when tracking produce in transport from rural to urban areas, ensuring appropriate preservation. If an issue arises in the supply chain, it becomes easier to isolate and resolve. Many other traditional strategies carried out among the public consist of encouraging community efforts toward upcycling organic and non-organic waste through individual efforts or organizations like Waste4Change, supporting the country’s goals for a more sustainable future.

– Sam Barbagallo

Sam is based in Tewksbury, MA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Driving Down Child Malnutrition in Sudan: Life-Saving Peanut Paste

Peanut PasteTwo-year-old Alfred arrived at a UNICEF stabilization ward in Juba with an arm circumference far into the red zone of severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Eight weeks later, he walked out the door with a sachet of life-saving peanut paste in Sudan, beaming for the first time in months. This story reveals proof that a simple nut-based food can tip the scales between life and death for Sudanese children.

Child Malnutrition in Sudan

Sudan and South Sudan together form one of the world’s hungriest corridors. The conflict has displaced millions; crop failures have destroyed harvests and inflation has made staple foods unattainable. Insecurity has also crippled supply chains and closed health clinics, limiting access to screening, early treatment and food aid in the hardest-hit regions like Darfur and Upper Nile.

In July–August 2024, unprecedented floods across Sudan destroyed nearly 205,500 acres of farmland and displaced more than 44,000 people. This wiped out entire cropping seasons, deepening food shortages and pushing thousands more children into malnutrition.

According to UNICEF, more than two million children aged below 5 suffer from malnutrition, with 522,000 experiencing SAM. However, some actions can be taken: outpatient programs using ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) routinely achieve 90% recovery rates.

What Exactly is in a Sachet?

RUTF is a blend of roasted peanuts, powdered milk, sugar, vegetable oil, vitamins and minerals sealed in a foil pouch. Since the product is energy-dense, has excellent shelf stability and requires no water or cooking, caregivers can administer the full treatment at home.

This not only frees up overwhelmed hospital beds but also shields children from unsafe water sources and health facility overcrowding. Nutritionists call it “medicine you can eat,” and parents know it simply as Sudan’s life-saving peanut paste. One 92-gram sachet supplies more than 500 kcal and a full day’s micronutrients.

Proven Results

  • Affordable. A six- to eight-week SAM treatment course costs about $69, far lower than prolonged inpatient care.
  • Mass impact. In crisis zones like Sudan, these sachets have enabled community-level treatment, reaching more children with fewer resources.
  • Fast recovery. Children with SAM often show dramatic improvement in just a few days of RUTF use, regaining strength, appetite and energy.

Every foil packet of life-saving peanut paste in Sudan delivers food and medicine in one lightweight dose, a huge advantage as clinics are distant and clean water is scarce.

The Takeaway

A single peanut pack has become the strongest shield against child malnutrition in Sudan. Alfred’s recovery exhibits that children survive and thrive when resources, farmers and determined mothers converge around a foil packet.

– Arabella D’Aniello

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

Photo: Flickr

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Everything To Know About Hunger in Dominican Republic

Hunger in Dominican RepublicDespite decades of stable economic growth, hunger in the Dominican Republic remains an issue. Almost 5% of the population experiences undernourishment (ranking 92nd), and approximately 35% of the population faces moderate food insecurity. However, the rate of undernourishment has been on a steady decline for decades falling from 23% in 2004.

The Facts

In 2024, the Dominican Republic ranked 41st out of 127 countries on the Global Hunger Index. The index gave the Dominican Republic a score of 7.8 which they consider to be a “low” ranking. The hunger index is calculated using a weighted score of four categories: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and child mortality. The Dominican Republic has steadily decreased their Global Hunger Index score falling from a “moderate” hunger score of 15 in the year 2000.

The percentage of undernourished increases among those under the age of 5 to 7%. Anemia affects 61% of children aged between 6 and 11 months. Children have a higher health risk when exposed to the dangers of malnutrition. It can have many long-term effects on developing children, and in severe cases even cause death.

The World Food Programme (WFP) estimated that one out of three households in the Dominican Republic lacked access to a nutritious diet. However, food insecurity is most intense among those households facing extreme poverty, or the immediate fallout of a natural disaster.

The Why

Poverty, a weak agricultural structure, and natural disasters are the driving factors of hunger in the Dominican Republic. There is a strong correlation between poverty and food insecurity. Impoverished individuals often forgo meals in order to provide for children, pay bills or simply due to a lack of access. Natural disasters disrupt an already tenuous food system on the Caribbean island by destroying crops, flooding agricultural lands and drought.

Facts About Poverty in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is an upper-middle-income country and ranks 98 out of 189 countries on the Human Development Index. About 23% of the population lives on less than $6.85 USD per day. Approximately 3% of the population is living in extreme poverty. The financial strain of poverty exacerbates the difficulties of food insecurity by reducing purchasing power.

Natural Disasters

The Dominican Republic has experienced extreme storms and hurricanes, sometimes followed by intense droughts. This extreme weather destroys crops, and disrupts their food system. The global Climate Risk Index ranked the Dominican Republic number eight out of the 10 countries most at risk of extreme climatic events.

The country’s poor are the most vulnerable to these extreme weather events because they rely on small-scale agriculture for their livelihoods and sustenance. For example 90% of the direct-victims of storms Olga and Noel were under the poverty line.

The Good News

The Dominican Republic has experienced significant economic development in recent years averaging 5% growth in the last five years. This has lifted almost 3 million people out of poverty within the country.

The World Bank expected the Dominican Republic’s economy to grow by 4% in 2025. This economic growth is going to be key in the country’s financial ability to ameliorate the effects of increasing extreme weather events, and continuing to reduce poverty.

Solutions

Hunger in the Dominican Republic has been on the decline in recent decades. This is due, in no small part, to the work of NGOs like the World Food Programme (WFP). The WFP has a strategy of investing in the country to improve in three key sectors. It is:

  • Improving the quality of basic public services such as energy, water, social protection and health.
  • Increasing the number of high-quality jobs.
  • Increasing climate resilience.

The entire WFP budget for Dominican Republic programs it implements amounts to $1.89 billion. This funding has had a massive impact on hunger in the Dominican Republic by alleviating poverty and providing basic services. Since 2017, 1.3 million households have received cash assistance for health care, cement has replaced 9,000 dirt floors and 27,000 Dominicans have received job/business training.

Foreign aid, and the work of NGOs, are essential to the continued economic growth of the Dominican Republic. Sustaining a growing economy within the Dominican Republic is the key to eliminating hunger in the Dominican Republic.  

– Justin Doyle

Justin is based in Kamloops, BC, Canada and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash