Our annual report details how Welthungerhilfe’s work is funded and where and how donations are used. English and French translations will follow later this year.
Annual Report
Welthungerhilfe (WHH) under the microscope: The annual report provides transparent insight into our work, explaining how it is financed and where and how donations are used.
A world without hunger is possible! But we’re living in a time of global political upheaval. Climate change, armed conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and rising prices are threatening the food security of millions of people. At the same time, governments have cut funding, and international cooperation is increasingly being called into question.
Now more than ever, it’s time to take responsibility. WHH stands by its values and helps people shape their own future—a future in which the right to food is fulfilled. The right to food is a fundamental human right. It means that every person must have permanent, ongoing access to sufficient, adequate, and healthy food—and that states are obligated to create the conditions needed to make that possible.
For millions of people in our projects, we’re a dependable presence. We provide them with the knowledge and resources they need to take charge of their own lives.
Our goal is for people to be able to live independently of outside aid and build a self-sufficient existence—for example, we also support vocational training and seed funding for small business owners. Especially in difficult circumstances, it’s critical to strengthen people’s skills and options so they can face tomorrow’s challenges with self-determination and flexibility.
Together with project participants and local partners, we develop solutions for climate-adapted agriculture, soil protection, sustainable water management, renewable energy, and forward-looking disaster preparedness. Our holistic approach addresses many points in the food system, including education and healthcare. We focus on long-term projects centered on innovative strategies and impact-oriented approaches. Our work is locally anchored, inclusive, forward-looking, and resource-efficient.
Humanitarian assistance also remains a central part of our work. At the same time, delivering it safely and reliably has become more difficult. Political and financial support for efforts to end hunger has declined, while extreme weather events, economic crises, and conflicts have become more frequent. In recent years, aid workers have increasingly found themselves in danger amid armed conflicts. Even so, we continue to support people in the most difficult circumstances with life-sustaining aid in Sudan, the Gaza Strip, Myanmar, Somalia, and many other places.
In times like these, international solidarity and reliable support for the poorest are more important than ever. For Welthungerhilfe, that means taking a stand and taking responsibility. Now, more than ever, we stand for humanitarian principles, human rights, and democracy.
Marlehn Thieme WHH PresidentRecent developments in Africa offer reason for hope. The African Union aims to promote a sustainable and resilient food system across the continent’s countries. Our project experience shows us just how much commitment and drive people bring to improving their living conditions.
2025 – A Year in the Spotlight
In 2025, too, our work centered on collaboration with local communities and relevant stakeholders. Our goal is to build food systems that are resilient and sustainable in the long term, so that everyone has access to safe and healthy food at all times—even amid climate change and conflict. Our inclusive approach, in which local communities are actively involved in planning and implementation, has proven effective.
Anyone who wants to create prospects for a society must create prospects for individuals, because it’s people’s own drive and determination that brings about change for the better. That’s why our projects place strong emphasis on education and training, as well as fostering economic independence. We support people as they start their own businesses and promote innovation. For example, we’re working with the social enterprise SHONA in Uganda to help women grow their businesses. In Kenya, we’re partnering with the social enterprise Toothpick to scale a patented solution for combating Striga, one of Africa’s most destructive parasitic weeds.
WHH’s work, however, isn’t limited to on-the-ground project development. We also want to help shape the political conditions under which hunger can be permanently overcome. Because hunger is the result of decisions—about land rights, trade, financing, and whose voices are heard. That’s why we take a stand and contribute our expertise when decisions are being made that will shape the future of disadvantaged people.
Overcoming hunger is also a political challenge. Political decisions have a direct impact on the food security and living conditions of millions of people. That’s why WHH is increasingly contributing its long-standing expertise to international discussions—with governments, in multilateral institutions, and at global conferences.
Mathias Mogge WHH General SecretaryGiven the ongoing global challenges, we thank all our supporters, because solidarity with people in need has not waned. In 2025, a total of €101.5 million in donations and €293.1 million in institutional grants were raised for WHH’s work.
Support for 19.1 million people
In 2025, WHH supported around 19.1 million people through 647 projects in 37 countries and territories. Thanks to this support, many people are able to produce more food and generate income. They have access to clean drinking water, can eat a more balanced diet, and fall ill less often. For children, this opens up better opportunities for healthy physical and mental development—and, with it, a future of self-determination.
In 2025, WHH spent a total of €386.0 million. Of that, €347.2 million went directly to funding projects abroad. The remaining funds were used for advertising and general public relations, international project support, administration, and campaigning, education, and awareness work.
Facts and figures about WHH in 2025
The independent auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH (PwC) has issued an unconditional audit certificate (in German) on the annual financial statements and management report (in German) of Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e. V.
FAQ
How many projects did WHH work on in 2025?
In 2025, 657 projects were active in 37 countries and territories. Of these, 10 were domestic projects and 647 were international projects. For more information, see page 40 of the annual report.
What is the breakdown of expenditure on projects?
In 2025, 90% of all income from donations and grants flowed directly into international project funding. 3.8% was used for advertising and general public relations, 2.9% went to international project support, and 2.4% to administration. 0.8% was used for campaigning, education, and awareness-raising work.
Your donations are essential for us to be able to apply for further funding from public donors, such as the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Federal Foreign Office (AA), the European Union (EU), or the United Nations. Generally, every donation is quadrupled—we can turn 100 euros in donations into up to 400 euros in project funds.
What is WHH's strategy?
We live in a world of constant change, now more than ever. Our present is shaped by numerous crises and global challenges that demand future-ready responses. That’s reason enough for us to continually rethink, adapt, and realign our actions to meet the demands of a world in flux. A world without hunger on a healthy planet—that’s our clear goal. And that’s also the name of our Strategy 2025-2030, “Zero Hunger on a Healthy Planet.” It’s our compass, helping us continue to contribute effectively and relevantly to ending hunger and poverty while protecting our planet.
How does WHH make its work transparent?
WHH’s stated goal is to make its work transparent and to use donations economically and purposefully. External assessments, such as those from the German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI), confirm that WHH successfully achieves this goal, as reflected in the awarding of its donation seal.
Beyond this, WHH places the highest value on efficiency and transparency. Our annual report shows in detail how donations are used and provides a direct insight into WHH’s work. As part of the “Transparent Civil Society Initiative,” WHH discloses additional information, such as its complete Articles of Association, the names and functions of key decision-makers, staff structure, and much more.
What information can be found in the management report?
As an aid organization, private donations and contributions are an indispensable foundation for WHH to carry out its statutory mission—the fight against hunger and poverty.
To ensure economically sustainable development, WHH’s Executive Board and Board of Management have agreed on key metrics that enable the Board of Management to exercise targeted operational governance throughout the year.
The management report contains detailed information on the general conditions, business performance, and economic development of Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e. V. Download the management report here (in German).
The independent auditor’s report on WHH’s 2025 annual report and management report can be found here (in German).
