A recent Reuters report revealed a dire global hunger crisis, highlighting the struggle to provide basic needs for millions.
With over 307 million people projected to require humanitarian assistance in 2025, the inability of the United Nations (UN) to secure adequate funding underscores a deepening global failure. As the report noted, the UN anticipates raising only 46% of the US$49,6 billion it sought in 2024, leaving 117 million people without essential support.
The ramifications of this shortfall are dire for Africa, a continent already grappling with entrenched socio-economic challenges, political instability and climate-induced food insecurity. This crisis raises urgent questions about Africa's vulnerability, the global response and the need for locally-driven solutions to address hunger sustainably.
Africa remains one of the most affected regions in the global hunger crisis, with countries like Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia bearing the brunt of conflict, extreme weather, and systemic poverty. The Reuters report detailed how funding cuts have forced the World Food Programme (WFP) to reduce its reach. The reduction in aid exposes vulnerable populations to starvation, malnutrition and disease, exacerbating cycles of poverty and displacement.
Beyond the immediate human toll, the socio-economic impacts of hunger ripple through communities, undermining education, productivity and long-term development. Children, especially, face severe consequences, with malnutrition stunting their physical and cognitive growth, perpetuating generational poverty.
The global context of shrinking humanitarian funding further complicates Africa's challenges. Major donor nations, including Germany and the United States, have significantly reduced their contributions. As the Reuters report noted, Germany cut US$500 million in aid between 2023 and 2024 and plans further reductions in 2025. Similarly, the United States, the largest donor, may undergo policy shifts under the Donald Trump administration, potentially slashing foreign aid and limiting assistance to areas deemed controlled by “malign actors.” These reductions disproportionately affect regions like Africa, where the need for external support is most acute.
Compounding this issue is the limited contribution from emerging economic powers like China and India, whose humanitarian aid remains negligible despite their growing global influence. As Norwegian Refugee Council head Jan Egeland aptly stated, “They are hosting Olympics and launching spaceships, yet the world’s starving children are being neglected.”
Africa's reliance on external aid, while necessary in the short term, highlights the urgency of developing sustainable, locally-driven solutions. Indigenous knowledge systems offer significant insights into addressing hunger and building resilience. For centuries, African communities have relied on traditional agricultural practices, such as inter-cropping, agroforestry and seed preservation, to sustain food production in diverse and challenging environments.
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For instance, Ethiopia's use of terracing to combat soil erosion and increase agricultural productivity has proven effective in mitigating the impacts of drought. Similarly, the Zai farming technique in Burkina Faso, which involves digging small pits to capture rainwater and concentrate nutrients, has reclaimed degraded lands and boosted crop yields. These time-tested practices demonstrate the potential of harnessing local expertise to complement modern agricultural innovations.
However, for indigenous knowledge systems to significantly contribute to solving hunger, they must be integrated into broader development frameworks. Governments and international organisations should prioritise funding for research and the dissemination of traditional practices, ensuring they are adapted to contemporary challenges, such as climate change. Moreover, empowering local communities to lead food security initiatives fosters ownership and sustainability.
For instance, farmer co-operatives and community seed banks can enhance access to resources, promote knowledge-sharing and improve resilience to shocks. Initiatives like these align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security and promote sustainable agriculture.
Achieving these goals requires a multi-faceted approach. African governments must invest in agricultural infrastructure, including irrigation, storage facilities and transportation networks, to reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access. Strengthening regional co-operation through organisations like the African Union can also enhance food security by fostering trade, sharing resources and co-ordinating responses to crises. Additionally, leveraging on technology, such as mobile platforms for weather forecasting and market information, can empower farmers to make informed decisions and increase productivity.
Internationally, the call for reforming humanitarian funding models as highlighted in the Reuters report, is critical. Former UN humanitarian relief chief Martin Griffiths’ suggestion of mandatory contributions from UN member States offers a potential solution to address funding shortfalls. Such a system would ensure a more equitable distribution of responsibility, reducing reliance on a small group of wealthy nations. Furthermore, diversifying the donor base by encouraging contributions from emerging economies and private sector actors can provide additional resources to combat hunger.
Ultimately, addressing the global hunger crisis requires a paradigm shift from dependency on external aid to self-reliance and resilience. Africa, with its rich cultural heritage and resourcefulness, has the potential to lead this transformation.
Through embracing indigenous knowledge systems, investing in sustainable agriculture and fostering local ownership of food security initiatives, the continent can chart a path towards ending hunger and achieving lasting development. This vision aligns with Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa's call, nyika inovakwa nevene vayo (a country is built by its own people) as it emphasises the importance of local ownership, indigenous knowledge and collective action in achieving sustainable development and food security. However, this vision demands collective action, both within nations and in Africa at large, to prioritise the needs of the most vulnerable and uphold the principles of justice and equity.
As the Reuters report warned, millions of lives hang in the balance. The time for urgent and sustained action is now. If the world fails to address the systemic barriers to food security and the declining commitment to humanitarian aid, the consequences will be catastrophic, not just for Africa, but for humanity as a whole. Hunger is not merely an African problem; it is a global moral failure. In addressing it with the seriousness it deserves, we can build a future where no one and no place is left behind.
