Download the 2024 annual report in English and French.
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! And yet one in eleven people worldwide still goes hungry. The climate crisis, wars, inequality and funding cuts are challenging previous successes in development cooperation.
Our goal of “Zero Hunger” remains achievable – if it is prioritized, supported politically, and adequately funded. Because a life without hunger is a human right. For more than six decades, we have been committed to this goal with great passion, energy and expertise.
In 2024, crises, wars and disasters exacerbated hunger in many places around the world. Increasingly, more people are dependent on humanitarian aid, while simultaneously making it more challenging to provide this assistance safely and reliably. In the Gaza Strip, Sudan, Myanmar and many other places, we support people living in the most challenging conditions.
Humanitarian action was a central component of our work in many countries and regions in 2024. At the same time, we deliberately pursue long-term projects with a focus on innovative strategies and impact-oriented approaches. Our work is locally anchored, inclusive, forward-looking, and resource-efficient.
We are facing major global challenges. We are witnessing an increase in global crises, fragile states, and armed conflicts, alongside a decline in democratic values. Development work is also being scrutinized more closely. We have responded to these changes with a new strategy. Strengthening local communities, innovative approaches and better networking with international partners are essential components of this.
Marlehn Thieme WHH PresidentAdequate food is a human right. 2024 marked the 20th anniversary of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Right to Food, which the international community agreed on in 2004 to realize this right for all. Today, as then, we can overcome hunger if there is the political will to create security, open up the scope for effective action, and provide resources.
2024 - A year in the spotlight
Despite all the global challenges, in 2024, we were able to work with our partners and local communities to find new ways to eradicate hunger. At the heart of our work is cooperation with the local population, which is crucial for making food systems resilient and sustainable in the long term. In this way, we create the basis for ensuring that all people have access to safe and healthy food at all times, even in the face of climate change and conflict. Our inclusive approach, in which local communities are actively involved in planning and implementation, has a lasting impact. In the future, we will incorporate these diverse perspectives, especially those of our partners in the Global South, even more strongly into international discussions on ending hunger.
Whether in Syria, Sudan or Madagascar – I meet people everywhere who seize opportunities to make positive change possible, even under the most adverse circumstances. Their courage and determination never cease to impress me and spur me on. Our task is to support and accompany them.
Mathias Mogge WHH General SecretaryA key aspect of our work is promoting climate resilience in close collaboration with local communities. Here, we combine food security with environmental and climate protection by developing site-specific solutions. The aim is to achieve this: In regions particularly affected by climate change, we support people in adapting their food production to the effects of climate change. To this end, we promote resource-efficient and sustainable agricultural techniques that are based on local knowledge and preserve or improve soil health. Plant species that are more tolerant to the effects of climate change ensure more stable harvests. The use of renewable energies helps to reduce the ecological footprint.
To make all this possible, we work closely with other civil society actors and partners from governments, academia, and the private sector. Among other things, we cooperate with research institutions in 14 countries. The research work is closely interlinked with the projects and directly helps people in the regions to improve their lives.
In view of the ongoing global challenges, our special thanks go to our supporters because solidarity with people in need has not waned. In 2024, 86.5 million euros in donations and 291.9 million euros in institutional grants were raised for WHH's work.
Support for 18.7 million people
In 2024, WHH supported around 18.7 million people in 37 countries and regions with 649 international projects. Many people are now harvesting and generating more, which means they can feed themselves better, have clean drinking water, and fall ill less often. For children, this support means the opportunity for better physical and mental development – and, thus, better self-determination in their future.
WHH spent 381.4 million euros in 2024, 346.5 million euros of which went directly to international project funding. The rest went towards advertising, general public relations, international project support, administrative expenses, campaigning, education, and awareness work.
Facts and figures about WHH in 2024
The independent auditing company BDO AG has issued an unconditional audit certificate for the annual financial statements and management report of Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V.
FAQ
How many projects did WHH work on in 2024?
In 2024, 661 projects were active in 37 countries. Of these, 12 were domestic projects and 649 were international projects. For more information, see page 40 of the Annual Report.
What is the breakdown of expenditure on projects?
90.9% of all income from donations and grants flows directly into international project funding. We used 3.5% for advertising and general public relations, 2.5% for administration, and 2.3% for international project support – we used 0.8% 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?
An ever-changing world needs innovation and adaptability; and now more than ever before. The shifting global landscape, characterized by emerging and persistent crises, is the impetus for us to reassess our global strategy and role as Welthungerhilfe (WHH). Our renewed strategy “Zero Hunger on a Healthy Planet” builds on the strong foundation of our past strategy (“One Planet Zero Hunger”, 2021-2024) and should be viewed as an evolution. It is developed to meet the demands of a world in flux, to ensure that our work remains as impactful and as relevant as ever in driving meaningful change to end hunger and poverty while safeguarding our planet at the same time.
To what extent is WHH making its work transparent?
WHH centers our work on transparency and quality, economical and targeted use of donations and verified information. For this reason, the German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI) has awarded us the seal of approval for donations.
Beyond this, we also attach great importance to economic efficiency and transparency. Our annual report shows in detail what we use all donations for and provides a direct insight into our work. As part of the "Transparent Civil Society Initiative," we disclose additional information, such as our complete Articles of Association, the names and functions of key decision-makers, our organizational structure and much more.
What information can be found in the management report?
As an aid organization, private donations and contributions to WHH are indispensable for implementing its statutory mission – the fight against hunger and poverty.
To ensure economically sustainable development, the Executive Board and the Board of Management of WHH have agreed on key figures enabling the Board of Management to exercise targeted operational governance during the year.
The Management Report (in German) contains more detailed information on the general conditions, economic development, and performance of Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V.
The independent auditor's report on WHH's 2024 annual report and management report can be found here (in German).
