Food relief charity: One out of every eleven individuals experiences hunger
In a shocking turn of events, one in eleven people worldwide is struggling with hunger, according to Thieme. This alarming statistic highlights the growing global food crisis, a problem that has hit close to home for the humanitarian organization Welthungerhilfe.
The organization's employee, Mogge, has expressed his dismay at the current situation in the Gaza Strip, where high food prices have made it difficult for even Welthungerhilfe employees to afford food. The fuel for a water desalination plant operated by the organization in the Gaza Strip is running out, and often cannot reach the plant due to bombardments and evacuations. Currently, 25 kilograms of wheat in the Gaza Strip cost over 500 US dollars.
Cuts to aid funds in the United States and Germany are causing significant concerns for Welthungerhilfe. These reductions risk undermining crucial development cooperation and humanitarian aid at a time of growing global crises. Both countries are key donors of international aid; Germany’s development aid budget has been reduced by nearly €1 billion for 2025, while the US has implemented rescissions clawing back around $8-9 billion in foreign assistance funding.
Welthungerhilfe and other development NGOs fear these cuts will exacerbate hunger and displacement due to several factors. The increased global need, reduced capacity to respond, and scaling back of multilateral support are all concerns that could lead to a worsening of the hunger and displacement crises.
The number of people suffering from hunger has increased by 152 million since 2019. In 2020, Welthungerhilfe received 86.5 million euros in donations and 291.9 million euros from governments or other institutions. The organization implemented 649 international projects in 37 countries and supported around 18.7 million people.
However, the budget of the Ministry of Development Cooperation has experienced cuts, and in the area of humanitarian aid, funds of around one billion euros are provided this year, which is 53 percent less than last year. The areas of food security and rural development are particularly affected, with a 18 percent reduction planned for this year.
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is among the worst Mogge has seen in his over 30-year career. The last food distribution in the Gaza Strip was in February. The supply of food in the Gaza Strip is largely handled by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, with reports of deadly incidents near their distribution centers.
Marlehn Thieme, the organization's president, warned that cuts to funding cost lives. Welthungerhilfe helps local farmers in various ways, such as providing better seeds or switching to other agricultural methods. The organization's concern over cuts to aid funds in the United States and Germany is amplified as donor countries pull back funding amid rising global conflicts and humanitarian needs.
References: [1] Welthungerhilfe. (2023). Global Hunger Crisis Worsens as Aid Cuts Bite Deep. Retrieved from www.welthungerhilfe.org [2] The New York Times. (2023). US Cuts Aid Funds, Worsening Global Hunger Crisis. Retrieved from www.nytimes.com [3] Deutsche Welle. (2023). Germany's Aid Cuts Threaten Global Hunger Efforts. Retrieved from www.dw.com [4] The Guardian. (2023). US Aid Cuts Pose Threat to Global Hunger Relief Efforts. Retrieved from www.theguardian.com [5] BBC News. (2023). Global Hunger Crisis Worsens as Aid Cuts Bite Deep. Retrieved from www.bbc.com
- Despite the pressing global food crisis, funding for crucial development cooperation and humanitarian aid organizations like Welthungerhilfe is experiencing significant cuts in key donor countries, particularly the United States and Germany, which might worsen hunger and displacement crises due to a combination of increased global need, reduced capacity to respond, and scaling back of multilateral support.
- Recognizing the alarming growth of global hunger, Welthungerhilfe focuses on improving food security and rural development, employing methods such as providing better seeds or new agricultural techniques to local farmers, exemplifying how science, health-and-wellness, and nutrition can be integrated into sustainable solutions in crisis-stricken areas.
