Budget cuts and conflicts exacerbate hunger
Worldwide, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger – that is one in eleven people. This number has risen by 152 million since 2019 due to the climate crisis, wars, and increasing global inequality. Meanwhile, major donors such as the US and Germany are drastically reducing their development cooperation and humanitarian aid budgets. At its annual press conference, Welthungerhilfe warns that overcoming hunger remains possible if there is political will and sufficient funding.
Marlehn Thieme, Chair of the Board of Welthungerhilfe, emphasizes: “Cuts cost human lives. What looks like austerity on paper means hunger, displacement or even death for millions of people. Eliminating hunger must remain a political priority. Political initiatives and diplomatic solutions are needed to end conflicts. Investing in weapons alone does not create security. Meanwhile, people in the Global South are fighting every day for improvements in their lives. Welthungerhilfe strategically focuses on local actors and innovative solutions.” Last year, a total of 18.7 million people were supported, primarily through local initiatives and partnerships.
© Makavelk/Welthungerhilfe | Annual Report – In 2024 alone, WHH supported around 18.7 million people in 37 countries with 649 projects. Read more
Welthungerhilfe also draws attention to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. “It is unacceptable that insufficient aid is being delivered to Gaza and that people are dying in their desperate search for food. The few distributions that are taking place are far from sufficient and do not comply with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. We need an immediate ceasefire and unhindered access for aid organizations at all border crossings into the Gaza Strip,” says Mathias Mogge, Secretary General of Welthungerhilfe.
In 2024, Welthungerhilfe had 383.5 million euros at its disposal for projects to combat hunger and poverty. Donors entrusted Welthungerhilfe with 86.5 million euros. Public donors approved €291.9 million for program work. German federal funds accounted for 50 per cent of this total, with the World Food Programme being the largest single donor at 71.4 million euros, followed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development at 67.6 million euros and the Federal Foreign Office at 60.4 million euros. The highest project funding went to South Sudan, Syria/Turkey and Sudan.
