Archive for category: Hunger

, ,

10 Facts About Hunger in Romania

Hunger in RomaniaOriginally under the control of the Turkish Ottoman Empire, Romania was occupied by the Soviets after WWII, which was followed by the abdication of its king. It was ruled for decades by an oppressive dictator who was overthrown in 1989, and controlled by communists until 1996. Now, Romania is a member of NATO and the European Union. Its population of over 18 million is 55% urban and is fairly evenly distributed throughout the country. 

10 Facts About Hunger in Romania

  1. Poverty in Romania has decreased, but inequalities exist. The National Poverty Line rate in Romania was 21.1% in 2022, but the lower International Poverty Line rate was just 1.8% in 2021. However, the rural poverty rate was almost five times higher than the urban rate. Yet, in 2023, Romania had the EU’s highest rate (approximately a third) of its population at risk of poverty or social exclusion. 
  2. Hunger in Romania is low. The 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI) groups Romania with 22 countries (out of 127 countries ranked) that have a Low score (less than 5; the high is ≥50). All of the GHI’s component indicators for Romania are classified as Very Low. Less than 2.5% of the population is undernourished, 0.7% of children die before reaching their fifth birthday, and of children under 5, 8.1% are stunted and 3.1% are wasted. 
  3. Romania receives high marks on the Global Food Security Index. The overall score Romania received on the Global Food Security Index 2022 ranked Romania 45 out of the 113 countries assessed. Its strength was based on affordability (rank 36), availability (rank 50), quality and safety (rank 27). 
  4. Romania’s rural food insecurity is related to food availability. Research based on a sample of rural small farmers (published in 2024) concluded that perceived food insecurity was more a matter of the amount of necessary and appropriate food available domestically (food availability) than the resources to acquire that food (access). There was direct access to basic foods while there was a lack of diversity in crops available in the geographical area, and increased dependency on imported products. 
  5. Challenges to food security in Romania require a regional response. A study presented at the October 2024, 5th International Electronic Conference on Foods, suggested that food security solutions require collaborative efforts in the region (Romania and the neighboring countries of Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, Ukraine and Moldova). Recommendations for coordinated approaches to developing sustainable and resilient food systems identified agricultural diversification, infrastructure, food safety regulations and strategies for climate adaptation. 
  6. The war in Ukraine impacts Romania. Action Against Hunger reported that approximately 100,000 Ukrainian refugees are being integrated into Romania, with many considering staying there. Action Against Hunger initiated its program in Romania in 2022, helping almost 12,000 refugees and their host communities last year. The NGO provides monetary assistance for basic needs, in addition to mental health support—psychosocial and psychological services—to refugees. 
  7. Romania is a nation of small farmers. Romania’s agricultural land is estimated at 61% (2018), but only 39% (13.5 million hectares) is arable. Nevertheless, the highest percentage of people employed in agriculture in the EU are in Romania—23% of the labor force (3.5 million farmers)—and their farms comprise about a third of the EU’s agricultural holdings. A very large number of these farms (90%) have individual holdings on small plots of land.  
  8. Romania needs national agricultural policies. Despite the overall high 2022 GFSI ranking, Romania was 80th on the index’s assessment of sustainability and adaptation, most significantly because of ocean health, with oceans seen as a “crucial source” of protein. The country is also assessed in the middle range with regard to political commitment to adaptation, in large part because of the lack of a national climate change strategy covering adaptation for agriculture, and lack of a national policy/incentives for sustainable agricultural practices. 
  9. There is a need to improve the crisis response of Romania’s agricultural systems. A post-COVID-19 study identified the vulnerability of Romania’s agricultural systems, particularly its production systems. This was not unlike the situation in other countries. The agri-food sector supply chains were disrupted, adding to the pandemic restricted access to inputs, technologies, and labor, all of which increased global food insecurity. Conclusions of the study noted several ways to maintain food security during a crisis, including accelerating digitalization, investing in agricultural mechanization and innovation and, in general, maintaining a proactive relationship among agricultural actors in public institutions. 
  10. Romania’s CAP Strategic Plan (2023-2027) addresses agricultural sustainability. Romania has developed a plan to implement the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP). The goal of Romania’s CAP is to “develop a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector by increasing the economic viability of farms, reducing disparities between farms, and increasing the market orientation and competitiveness of the agricultural sector.” 

While Romania is not facing a hunger crisis, the country’s vulnerability to climate change demands attention to agricultural practices. It is not unreasonable to assume that developing sustainable agriculture will increase food security. Romania’s attention to agricultural innovation goes hand in hand with maintaining its continuing ability to feed its people. This includes the refugees it has welcomed into the country.

– Staff Reports
Photo: Pixabay

,

Eradicating Hunger in St. Kitts and Nevis

Hunger in St. Kitts and NevisThe smallest country in the Western Hemisphere, St. Kitts and Nevis is a dual island volcanic nation in the Caribbean, gaining independence from England in 1983. A 1998 referendum to separate Nevis from St. Kitts was unsuccessful.

The Country and the Region

St. Kitts and Nevis is a member of CARICOM (the Caribbean Community), an organization of 21 small developing countries, most of which are island states. CARICOM describes itself as “the oldest surviving integration movement in the developing world”—over 50 years strong—fostering “functional cooperation” in health, education, security and culture. This includes single market functions and a coordinated foreign policy.

Economy

St. Kitts and Nevis’s poverty headcount rate in 2022 was 21.8%, despite having one of the highest GDP per capita in Latin America and the Caribbean (an increase of 16% from the previous year). Like other countries in this region, St. Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to drought, and to an increase in the frequency and severity of climate hazards, in particular hurricanes. In addition, COVID-19 negatively impacted the country’s tourism-dependent economy.

Hunger and Nutrition

A decade ago, the government implemented a Poverty Reduction Strategy to address hunger in the islands. The strategy was to redistribute resources more equitably, strengthen public, private and community organizations, invest in social services and empower vulnerable groups.

While current data on hunger in the country are not available, the 2022 Global Nutrition Report reported that St. Kitts and Nevis were “off course” in terms of maternal, infant and young child nutrition targets, with insufficient data to assess progress on its other indicators. Of 10 national nutrition policies, the only policy implemented was a sugar-sweetened beverage tax. Of 11 global nutrition targets, St. Kitts and Nevis had a national policy addressing only the reduction of salt/sodium intake.

25 by 25: Reducing Food Import Dependency

The CARICOM region is dependent on food imports, and this is true of St. Kitts and Nevis. This dependency is behind CARICOM’s Vision 25 by 25, a plan to address the region’s increasing food import bill. A long-term partnership has been created between CARICOM countries and the private sector, regional organizations, producers, development partners and civil society to transform the region’s agri-food systems. Furthermore, the goal five years ago was to create resilience and sustainability, ultimately guaranteeing food and nutrition security for the CARICOM countries.

In 2019 (prior to St. Kitts and Nevis’s participation), the CARICOM heads of government conceived of the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO), which was initiated in 2020. In response to an “urgent call” for a 25% reduction of the extra-regional food import bill before 2025, CPSO’s response was the 25 by 25 initiative, targeting the “displacement” of $418.8 million of extra-regional agri-food imports.

25 by 25 in St. Kitts and Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis has identified the root cause of its import dependency to rest in imperfect land cultivation and the poor business practices of both farmers and vendors. One approach the Ministry of Agriculture is taking is to work with a local community college to train farmers in the best use of produce and in becoming more business oriented. Indeed, in noting that food sustainability requires year-round food production and education in “smart farming,” in 2023, officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture met with crop and livestock farmers to develop a basis for the Government’s participation in the 25 by 25 initiative, aimed at decreasing the country’s food import bill and increasing food security.

Supporting this effort, the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture in St. Kitts and Nevis on its 25 by 25 Agenda.

In February 2025, Hon. Samal Duggins, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources discussed one initiative to tackle the country’s $198 million food import bill: an export “niche” project focusing on hot peppers to the Tabasco company. The export niche focus means training farmers in their crop of choice and then addressing crop-specific land preparation, seed choice, time of planting, pest and disease management, harvest and post-harvest management, processing, sales and marketing, in other words, the complete value chain.

Predicting the Future

It remains to be seen whether the many efforts to reduce hunger in St. Kitts and Nevis by transforming the country’s local food production, will fulfill Minister Duggins’s prediction that the country will become the “food mecca of the Leeward Islands,” thanks to the 25 by 25 Agenda.

– Staff Reports
Photo: Flickr

, ,

4 Facts about Hunger in Qatar

Hunger in QatarThe State of Qatar is a small country located on the Qatar Peninsula in the Middle East, neighboring Saudi Arabia on its southern land border and surrounded by the Persian Gulf on all other sides. Since gaining its independence from Britain in 1971, Qatar has been a constitutional monarchy. It is a desert nation with a small population of 2.6 million, 99.4% urban, with only 1.1% of its land arable. Its economy is driven largely by its natural gas and oil reserves. 

Despite its strong economy and high per capita income, Qatar still faces issues related to hunger. Here are four facts about hunger in Qatar.

Qatar’s Global Rankings

In 2024, Qatar ranked 30th out of 113 countries in the Global Food Security Index (down from 13th in 2019)—an international database that considers quality, affordability and availability of food. However, while Qatar is ranked 9th in availability and 21st in affordability, it is only 47th in quality and safety and 51st on sustainability and adaptation. Some of its weakest indicators are lack of a national policy or strategy to empower women farmers, extent of agricultural research and development and extent of disaster risk management. Qatar could not be comparatively ranked on the 2024 Global Hunger Index because of a lack of available data on undernourishment. But on the other GHI indicators related to hunger, the country’s statistics are very low: 6.2% of children under 5 stunted and 1.5% wasted, and 0.5% of children who die before their fifth birthday. 

Dependency on Imported Food

Agriculture is a challenge in Qatar because of the arid climate, sandy soil and scarcity of water. Qatar therefore has imported 90% of consumed food, with imports providing as high as approximately 80% of the demand for perishable crops. 

Qatar’s Large Migrant Worker Population

Qatar is home to a million person, mostly Asian, migrant work force, which is 95% of its total labor force, with half of these workers in construction. The high COVID toll in Qatar five years ago left many migrants jobless, and hungry. Subsequently, the FIFAWorld Cup 2022, hosted by Qatar, exposed “the vulnerabilities of and abuses faced by low-paid migrant workers and migrants in general.” During this same period, the Canadian-based Migration and Food Insecurity in Cities of the Global South project (MiFood Project) expanded its Hungry Cities Partnership research network to additional countries, including Qatar. This was a three-year project focused on migrant workers and food security. 

Success and a New Strategy to Increase Food Security

Qatar’s successful National Security Strategy 2018-2023 strengthened Qatar’s food security infrastructure, with enhancements in cultivated areas, production capacity, and food marketing systems, as well as addressing climate change. Building on this success, in January 2025, Qatar announced its National Food Security Strategy 2030 to secure food supplies by significantly increasing local food production and making Qatar 55% self-sufficient in vegetable production, 100% self-sufficient in fresh chicken and dairy by the end of the decade, and 80% for fish and 30% for red meat. 

Overall, hunger in Qatar is relatively low due to the country’s general prosperity and the government’s diligent efforts to improve food security. While the nation’s geographic location means the threat of food still exists, the country’s forward-thinking and proactive efforts are addressing this threat.

– Staff Reports

Photo: Wikimedia

, ,

Addressing Food Insecurity in Haiti

Food Insecurity in HaitiHaiti, a neighbor to the Dominican Republic, is experiencing a food insecurity crisis on account of gang violence, political instability and economic turmoil, increasing poverty and food shortages. The gang violence has led to a disruption in food distribution and access for individuals such as children and families with pregnant women, who are displaced within the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince. Changing weather and limited agriculture have contributed to food insecurity in Haiti, resulting in 5.4 million Haitians experiencing hunger. Changing weather patterns is making it difficult for Haitian crops to grow as natural disasters are continuously coming by sweeping the sparse crops away. Haitians in Port-au-Prince, especially those who are displaced, are also having a hard time either being able to afford or reach food supplies, contributing to food insecurity in Haiti. Fortunately, organizations around the world are coming together to help feed Haitians who need help.

Food Insecurity in Haiti and the Malfety Canal

A variety of reasons make it hard for Haiti to feed itself, one of them being its reliance on imported goods. Improving infrastructure could be beneficial in lessening dependence on other countries’ goods and ensuring a more sustainable way for Haiti to feed itself in the future. Different organizations, such as P4H Global, raise money to support community-led building for canals, bridges and various other infrastructures that allow Haiti to become self-sufficient and feed itself.

According to the P4H Global, the Malfety Canal will allow the water located at the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti to be distributed to the Malfety community. The Mafety Canal will irrigate about 7,000 agricultural land leading to a consistent water supply during dry seasons, and improved crop production by providing controlled water. The controlled water supply will then lead to more diverse crop production and better economic growth for Haiti because it will provide a more stable income for farmers and better prices for consumers. The water will allow the Haitians to start producing food for their people and start the end of the substantial imported goods.

How WFP Is Fighting Food Insecurity in Haiti

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is currently helping feed people in Haiti. The WFP first started helping Haiti back in 1969. It then partnered with the World Bank back in 2019 to maximize its impact on countries struggling with food insecurity. With food insecurity in Haiti getting worse, the WFP, the World Bank and local NGOs have been providing food assistance for hot meals, cash transfers and school feeding programs to ensure that the people are being fed.

Combating Climate Challenges

The World Bank is working tirelessly to help Haiti combat climate issues through climate-smart agriculture. The organization first started helping Haiti through the Emergency Resilience Agriculture for Food Security project in March 2022. The World Bank claims that practicing climate-smart agriculture such as irrigation systems helps minimize the damage of natural disasters which overall leads to the Haitian community not having to rebuild every time there is a catastrophe. The project developed in 2022 has currently led to irrigation and drainage on 2,244 hectares. The World Bank is also funding 115 all-inclusive agricultural schools to teach the Haitians about farming impacting 21,739 farmers (44% of whom were women), covering an agricultural area of 11,113 hectares.

Looking Ahead

In response to food insecurity in Haiti, organizations around the globe are helping Haiti. P4H Global, an organization run by Haitian citizens and descendants, is building infrastructure like the Malfety Canal to provide a reliable water supply for agriculture. Meanwhile, the WFP and the World Bank are working together to feed the Haitian people through hot meals, cash transfers and school feeding programs. Climate challenges have also impacted Haiti but organizations like the World Bank are working with the Haitian people by teaching and providing them with climate-smart agriculture. Hopefully, these efforts will reduce food insecurity in Haiti moving forward.

– Naysa Saint Fleur

Naysa is based in Fort Myers, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

10 Facts About Hunger in Puerto Rico

10 Facts About Hunger in Puerto RicoThe Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island, currently of three million people, which was ceded to the United States after the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship in 1917. Its constitution, enacted in 1952, provides for internal self-government, and subsequent plebiscites supported continuation of that status. However, a 2020 referendum showed a narrow preference for statehood.

Puerto Rico is 94% urban, with its 2023 GDP equally split among industry, pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism and services. 

10 Facts About Hunger in Puerto Rico

  1. A Context for Hunger. Puerto Rico has been vulnerable to poverty and hunger, hit hard by COVID-19 (2020) and natural disasters such as Hurricanes Irma and Maria (2017), a 2020 earthquake, and Hurricane Fiona (2022). These challenges, combined with seven years of economic instability, including government bankruptcy, have deepened the crisis.
  2. Poverty: Hunger’s Partner. Puerto Rico has experienced poverty of over 20% (“persistent poverty“) for more than five decades, with 43% of the population below the federal poverty level in 2021. Particularly affected have been children, women and residents of the rural highland (the country’s interior and most rural and mountainous region). This poverty is linked to insufficient economic activity and employment opportunities, “circumscribed by Puerto Rico’s political relationship with the United States.” A recent study by CENTRO, the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College, cites the sunset of IRS tax benefits for corporations doing business in Puerto Rico (2006) and the elimination of Puerto Rico’s comparative trade advantages (1989, 2005). 
  3. Hurricanes and Food Insecurity. Food insecurity before the hurricanes (October 2017) was 30-60%, or 1.5 million people, with child food insecurity at 56%. After the hurricanes (2019), food insecurity was estimated to be at least 85%.
  4. Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP). In lieu of the U.S.’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides assistance based on need, Puerto Rico receives food assistance to low-income households via NAP (Nutrition Assistance Program) through fixed-amount, capped block grants. The FY 2023 grant was $2.8 billion, serving approximately 1.4 million participants/month. NAP allows Puerto Rico to operate a Family Markets Program, whereby participants can receive an additional 4% in benefits to purchase local food products from nearby Family Markets; and the elderly population receives a 20% increase. The NAP grant was increased to over $2.9 billion for FY 2024.
  5. Building on NAP. The FY 2024 plan of operations developed by the Socioeconomic Development Administration of Puerto Rico’s Department of the Family notes NAP’s focus not only on food purchase benefits but also on increasing nutrition, promoting healthy food habits and increasing and protecting overall health and well-being. The plan’s projected activities included continuing the development of the Family Markets and the NAP Purchases online programs. Among other initiatives is establishing a NAP call center, a Restaurant Means Program for NAP participants with special needs and the purchase of a new mobile unit.
  6. Supplemental School Program. No Kid Hungry is preparing to close the “summer meal gap” in 2025 by providing meals for children when school is out.
  7. Preparing for Food Emergencies. Self-described as the country’s “premier Latino nonprofit membership organization,” the Hispanic Foundation, founded in 1990, has been providing emergency hunger relief in Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria in 2017. The organization provided half a million dollars of nutritious food and water supplies to Puerto Rican communities suffering from 2022’s Hurricane Fiona. And in 2023, a new preparedness program was piloted to stock 23 community-managed kitchens in 20 municipalities with a three-day supply of nonperishable food.
  8. Development as a Context for Reducing Hunger. Hunger Corps, despite its name, does not directly target hunger, but works in marginalized communities for a minimum of five years, “building homes, kickstarting small businesses, rebuilding schools and more.” Founded in Puerto Rico in 2012, and originally including projects in Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Honduras, Hunger Corps moved entirely to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.
  9. An Alternative to Food Banks. Súper Solidario Coop was founded in 2020 by a group of young people who had been distributing hot meals after Hurricane Maria. Described as a matter of “food sovereignty” rather than hunger or food insecurity, the Solidarity Supermarket has evolved into an “initiative for self-managed food distribution,” providing food at no charge to those below the poverty line. They now serve around 399 families/month through food-based initiatives, including the solidarity supermarket with a “health shelf” where people can select two medicines to take home. The solidarity supermarket also offers both fresh and warehouse goods at lower prices and free monthly delivery. Local businesses provide donations and customers can volunteer in exchange for goods. Federal and state funding—obtained as a social project—helps to cover administrative expenses. In addition, the facility is a community meeting place, often offering talks on health, diet, agriculture and mutual support.
  10. Developing Agro-Entrepreneurship to Address Food Insufficiency. Borne out of the impact of Hurricane Maria, CAM (Circuito Agroempresarial Multisectoral) is a collaborative model for the increased production and consumption of fresh produce, training communities to develop market gardens that will be sustained through emergencies and climate phenomena. USDA has supported a Farm to School Expo for middle and high school, bringing together teachers, farmers (growers and producers) and buyers to address marketing, purchasing, local food product consumption, school gardens and curriculum integration. 

Puerto Rico Modeling Approaches to Hunger

While the extent of hunger in Puerto Rico is not as severe as in many other countries, it still has generated some creative approaches that might also serve other countries well.

– Staff Reports
Photo: Pixabay

, ,

Biofortification to Minimize Hunger in Panama

Panama, known for the Panama Canal, is characterized by its tropical forests and mountainous terrains, connecting Central America to South America. Over the last two decades, Panama has experienced economic growth and attained the status of a high-income country. However, inequality remains a significant issue, with disparities between the urban, rural and indigenous populations. The government is taking steps to improve the situation and reduce poverty and hunger in Panama. 

Current Statistics

Panama has made significant progress towards decreasing poverty, hunger and malnutrition and achieving SDG 1 and SDG 2.

Combating Hunger and Malnutrition with Everyday Foods

Panama’s success has been made possible because of the government’s dedication to combatting inequalities, hunger and malnutrition through various food fortification and nutritional programs. Some of these programs are mentioned here. 

  • School Lunch- The Ministry of Education has launched various programs to improve children’s health, especially in the vulnerable population. These initiatives provide meals  (grains) fortified with essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, D, zinc and folate.
  • Fortification of Crops- The government of Panama, in collaboration with the other partners, has been running a biofortification program called AgroNutre since 2006. Fortified varieties of beans, sweet potato and maize have been released, whereas pumpkin, cassava and cowpea fortification is planned. 
  • Mandatory Fortification of Staple Foods- Panama mandates fortifying wheat flour and rice with essential micronutrients to combat deficiencies among the population. 
  • Fortified Milk- In partnership with Tetrapak, the government is providing fortified milk to over 200,000 children in around 400 schools nationwide. The milk is fortified with 10 vitamins, three minerals and Omega 3 and aims to reduce stunting and wasting in children.

Through these initiatives, Panama is bridging disparities in its population and aims to elevate the quality of life for its citizens.

– Maria Waleed

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Hunger in Guinea-Bissau

Hunger in Guinea-BissauGuinea-Bissau is a small West African country on the Atlantic Ocean coast, with a population of approximately 2 million. Despite its abundant natural resources, Guinea-Bissau faces significant challenges. Years of political instability and other factors have led to increased hunger and poverty in Guinea-Bissau. 

Facts and Figures

  1. In 2023, GDP grew by 0.1%, reaching an overall growth rate of 4.3%.
  2. The poverty rate, defined as living on $3.65 a day, has worsened and now stands at 65% in the country. 
  3. According to the Global Hunger Index, Guinea-Bissau ranks 114th out of 127 countries facing a severe hunger crisis. 
  4. The prevalence of undernourishment in the population has increased over the past decade, rising from 34.8% to 37.9%. 
  5. The percentage of children under 5 suffering from stunting has grown from 26.4% in 2012 to 27.7% in 2019 and 72 out of 1000 die before their fifth birthdays. 
  6. Guinea-Bissau is one of the five countries with the highest maternal mortality rate, which is 725 per 100,000 live births.

Underlying Issues

  • Political: Guinea-Bissau gained independence in 1974 but faced challenges such as military coups, political unrest and weak governance. Additionally, widespread drug smuggling has worsened corruption and undermined the government. These issues significantly contribute to the country’s weak economy, hunger and poverty.
  • Weak infrastructure: The country has underdeveloped infrastructure, including poorly maintained roads, limited electricity supply and inadequate health care facilities. Weak governments and corruption have further hindered infrastructure development.
  • Over-dependence: Guinea-Bissau relies almost entirely on cashew nuts for its export revenues, which account for 95% of its total exports. This heavy dependence makes the economy highly vulnerable to price fluctuations. Additionally, the lack of diversification in agriculture and exports worsens issues such as poverty, food insecurity and hunger in Guinea-Bissau.
  • Extreme weather: Guinea-Bissau is among the top five countries most affected by extreme weather, experiencing problems such as rising sea levels, erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts and flooding. These environmental issues have negatively impacted biodiversity, fishing and agriculture. As a result, the country is facing rising poverty levels, increased food insecurity and heightened hunger. 

Development Programs

International organizations are working with the government to reduce poverty and hunger in the country.

  • Food security- The WFP provides cash assistance to families needing immediate support and school meals to prevent malnutrition and stunting in children. UNICEF and the World Bank have partnered to launch a Scale Up Nutrition program. The initiative targets reducing stunting and malnutrition while improving maternal and child health.
  • Agriculture Development- Organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Program assist farmers by supplying seeds, fertilizers and training. The FAO is also collaborating with the government to develop drought-resistant crops. The aim is to build resilience and mitigate impending climate impacts.

Towards A Sustainable Future

Guinea-Bissau faces daunting challenges, including high poverty rates, food insecurity and the impacts of political instability and weather events. However, through collaborative efforts between the government and international organizations and a focus on sustainable development, agricultural resilience and the promotion of food security, Guinea-Bissau can work towards a future where all citizens have access to basic needs and opportunities. Continued commitment and investment from the international community in these areas will be crucial to breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger in Guinea-Bissau. 

– Maria Waleed

Maria is based in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

,

Top 10 Facts About Hunger in New Zealand

Hunger in New ZealandNew Zealand, located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is one of 14 countries comprising the region of Oceania. Originally a British colony, it gained independence in 1907 and remains a member of the British Commonwealth. It boasts a high-income economy of over five million people, with strong manufacturing, agriculture and tourism sectors. Nevertheless, the country is not without issues of hunger and food security, especially for particular segments of the society.

10 Facts about Hunger in New Zealand

  1. World Vision reported that in 2023, despite an overall global decrease in food prices, New Zealand joined some of the world’s poorest countries in the cost of an average food basket, with a 56% increase over 2022. The impact of climate change, along with import costs and lack of competition, were seen as the causes of this change. At the same time, however, the average New Zealander worked fewer hours—three hours as compared to 25 days in the Central African Republic—to pay for the same basket of food items.
  2. The prevalence of food insecurity in New Zealand was reported to have increased from 10% in 2014-2016 to 16% in 2020-2023. According to the New Zealand Health Survey, between 2021/22 and 2022/23, the proportion of children living in households where the food runs out sometimes or often increased from almost 50%, to 21.3%. Tamariki Māori and Pasifika were the worst affected, with 35.1% and 39.6% respectively living in such households.
  3. The Ministry of Health’s 2022/23 Annual Update of the New Zealand Health Survey reported that 45% of adults ate the recommended amount of fruit and but only 11% ate the recommended amount of vegetables; respective figures for children ages 2 to14-years-old were 70% and 5%. Almost a third of adults were classified as obese, as were 13.5% of children ages 2 to14-years-old.
  4. Obesity was a disproportionately greater problem among the Māori and Pasifika children, children in the most deprived neighborhoods and disabled adults and children. 
  5. Over 20% of children lived in households where the food sometimes or often ran out (an almost 50% increase), with higher percentages among the indigenous children, as well as for the disabled and those in deprived neighborhoods.
  6. The years 2022-2023 saw the biggest increase in children’s food insecurity in a decade. A 2022 study by the Program for International Student Achievement for the first time including measures of food poverty, saw a drop in NZ teenagers’ math, science and reading proficiency, at least in part ascribed to missing meals for financial reasons. New Zealand had the second worst ranking for missed meals in the OECD, and these students were up to four years behind students not so classified.
  7. Recently, the country has seen increasing efforts to tackle hunger. New Zealand Food Network, the country’s largest not-for-profit food distribution service, reports demand for food up 42% (2023-2024), an increase of 83% since 2021. In 2023, 630,000 people were supported, a third of whom received this assistance for the first time. Seniors were especially affected. 
  8. Ka Ora, Ka Ako, Health Schools Lunches Programme, which was initiated by the government in 2019 as a free school lunch program, addressed food insecurity by providing daily nutritious lunches to school students in greatest need of this support. They were helping approximately 235,000 students in about a quarter of the most disadvantaged schools through four different delivery models. By 2024, the government planned to abandon Ka Ora, Ka Ako to save money. In spring 2024, Health Coalition Aotearoa, a coalition of organizations advocating for evidence-based policies, organized a campaign that petitioned the government not to cut the free school lunches. They referenced the Ka Ora, Ka Ako assessments of program success, and collected 70,000 signatures of support. 
  9. The government at first agreed not to include primary schools in the cuts, but in October 2024 they decided to “downsize” lunches for all students up to age 13. The cuts affected up to over half of schools on the internal model (food cooked and delivered within the school) to over 66% for schools using external providers.
  10. As of the first week in December 2024, there was expressed dissatisfaction with the new government program, especially regarding meal size. The government claimed that the new $3 per meal budget would save $30 million, while principals criticized the expectation that identical meals for children in all grades, from 1 to 8, would equally satisfy both hungry teenagers and primary school students.  It remains to be seen whether the government’s plan will survive or the more individualized local efforts will return.

– Staff Reports
Photo: Flickr – Daniel Orth

, ,

Everything You Need to Know About Hunger in Kashmir

Hunger in KashmirKashmir, a region between India and Pakistan, is known for its breathtaking landscapes. However, beneath this beauty lies a harsh reality: widespread hunger. Here is a deeper look into how hunger has become one of the most pressing issues in Kashmir.

Political Conflict

For decades, Kashmir has been a victim of political instability. Ongoing conflicts have left deep scars on Kashmir’s infrastructure and economy. Constant enforcement of strikes, curfews and road blockages have prevented the free movement of food supplies, cutting off access to essential resources. This pressing issue disproportionately impacts rural communities and intensifies existing challenges.

The disruption of transportation networks leads to inevitable food shortages, triggering a chain reaction affecting daily life and the locals’ normalcy. Moreover, Kashmir’s economy heavily relies on its agricultural industry to support its financial independence. However, farmers are often unable to sow or harvest under the instability of conflict, leading to further uncertainty in food availability.

Climate Emergencies

In addition to the political turmoil, Kashmir is facing another key issue: the mounting pressure of climate instability. Specifically targeting the agricultural industry, erratic weather patterns have become the norm. Unexpected droughts and unseasonal rains are becoming increasingly common, increasing food prices and reducing yields. Farmers who have previously relied on winter snowmelt for irrigation are now met with the unpredictable nature of modern-day winters that bring either too little snow or none at all, resulting in shortages in crop production and water shortages.

Poverty and Rising Unemployment

In Kashmir, the ongoing conflict has severely paralyzed job opportunities, demonstrating an unemployment crisis, particularly among the youth. As food prices rise and stable job opportunities continue to plummet, families are forced to make difficult decisions about their consumption needs. The crushing reality of poverty means that even if food is available, many decide against purchasing it because they can not afford it. According to the Kashmir Welfare Foundation, approximately 40% of Kashmir’s population lives below the poverty line, with food insecurity contributing heavily to the issue.

The Impact of Harsh Winters

Winters in Kashmir are not just cold, they are crippling. As soon as temperatures start to drop, agricultural activities come to a halt. For families living in remote areas, the winter months bring isolation for long periods, with limited access to food and fresh produce. Hunger peaks in Kashmir during these months and it is often the most vulnerable groups—such as women, children and older people— that are affected the most. Without access to proper storage systems or supply chains, winters in Kashmir become a season of dread.

Solutions and Hope on the Horizon

Various international organizations are working in the region via aid and food security programs to provide immediate relief. The Kashmir Welfare Foundation is one organization that actively works on food security programs, reaching thousands of families with food aid and livelihood support. It also calls for an interest in better technology and government to protect the Kashmiri agricultural industry and those who rely on it.

Another key player is CHINAR Kashmir, a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting the region’s marginalized children, women and families. One of its flagship initiatives is the CHINAR Home Program. The program offers a safe and nurturing environment for orphaned and vulnerable children. It provides them with health care, nutrition, education and emotional support. Additionally, in response to natural disasters, CHINAR Kashmir offers immediate relief by distributing food and other necessities to affected families, addressing acute hunger crises during emergencies.

Through these efforts, CHINAR Kashmir and the Kashmir Welfare Foundation are helping to improve access to basic rights and essential services. They empower the region’s most vulnerable populations and build hope for a better future.

– Mashal Aman

Mashal is based in Kyoto City, Japan and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

,

Addressing the Causes of Hunger in The Gambia

GambiaThe Republic of The Gambia, situated on the North Atlantic Coast of West Africa, is the smallest country on the African continent, with a population of approximately 2.8 million people. It is categorized as a low-income, food-deficit nation, with an estimated poverty rate of around 53% and 27% of its population experiencing food insecurity.  

Causes of Hunger

  • Climate-related causes— Climate-related events have impacted The Gambia over the past four decades. This has included prolonged periods of drought, followed by heavy rainfall leading to flooding and erosion. Consequently, there has been a significant decrease in crop production, with local crops meeting less than half of the food demand. This has resulted in unemployment among farmers and increased food insecurity in the country. 
  • Inflation—The population of The Gambia relies extensively on imported products to meet its requirements. The compounding impacts of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have led to a 12.7% increase in food prices, exacerbating the country’s already precarious food security situation. 
  • Unemployment—The global economic crisis has significantly increased the unemployment rate in The Gambia over the past five years, rising from about 4% in 2018 to 7% in 2023. This surge in unemployment has driven people into poverty, reducing their purchasing power and worsening the problem of hunger.

World Food Programme

The World Food Programme (WFP) has launched two programs in partnership with the Government of The Gambia to address the causes of hunger and food insecurity in the country and offer sustainable solutions.

  • Gambia Agriculture and Food Security Project – In partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, this program focuses on local farmers. Its goal is to connect farmers with schools to promote “homegrown school feeding.” This initiative aims to increase crop production and the income of farmers and others involved in agriculture. It also aims to improve the nutritional status of children and reduce the current rate of stunting in children under 5, which is currently at 17.5%. 
  • Rural Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resilience Project Gambia – The initiative is currently being implemented in the Upper River and Central River regions, two of the worst-hit areas, to assist approximately 168,000 vulnerable individuals. The project’s primary objectives include raising awareness of climate-related challenges by providing knowledge to local farmers, implementing proactive measures against potential climate disasters and enhancing the community’s resilience to withstand and recover from such events. The WFP and its partners aim to provide financial services to promote self-reliance in the community and increase investments in climate-resistant agriculture. 

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, it is crucial to address the root causes of hunger in The Gambia for the well-being of its population. The country can significantly reduce food insecurity by addressing climate-related challenges, mitigating the impact of inflation, and tackling unemployment. Initiatives led by organizations such as the WFP demonstrate the potential for positive change through targeted interventions. With continued support from the international community and collaborative efforts, there is hope for a future where hunger is less prevalent and communities in The Gambia can thrive.

– Maria Waleed
Photo: Flickr