Ending hunger is possible
The new impact report from Welthungerhilfe demonstrates which measures have a lasting impact and why strong local systems are crucial.
Bonn, May 20, 2026. Wars, economic crises, and looming budget cuts in many sectors are currently dominating the debate in Germany. Welthungerhilfe (WHH), however, shows what works: hunger and poverty can be combated sustainably. The new impact report demonstrates which measures make the biggest difference in the long term - and why holistic approaches are crucial. The report analyzes the results of 188 projects in 30 countries that were completed between 2022 and 2024. To this end, 316 quantitative data sets and 79 qualitative analyses were evaluated based on surveys, discussions, and individual interviews. In total, WHH reached approximately 32 million people in 37 countries during this period.
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“Especially in times of growing skepticism about international cooperation, we need solid evidence that our work is making a difference,” says Bettina Iseli, Chief Program Officer at WHH. “Hunger isn’t solved by isolated measures. What matters most are strong local systems that can withstand crises. Where communities develop their own solutions and women are more actively involved, the changes go far beyond just the food situation.”
One example is the “Nutrition Smart CommUNITY” program, which is being implemented with 829 village communities in Africa and Asia and combines issues related to nutrition, agriculture, health, and hygiene into a comprehensive approach to combating hunger. Together with the village communities, local solutions are developed that strengthen knowledge, promote self-initiative, and have a long-term impact. The synergy of many measures makes the approach particularly effective. In these communities, not only did nutrition and health care improve, but school attendance, community responsibility, and the role of women in decision-making also increased. Many of those involved in the project are now passing on their knowledge themselves - thus creating lasting change on the ground.
The results from the impact report show considerable progress: The proportion of women with a more balanced diet almost tripled, from 13 to 40 percent. The number of families with access to clean drinking water increased by 130 percent. In addition, 56 percent of families were able to increase their income. On average, families had sufficient food supplies for nearly two months longer - an increase of 23 percent. Programs that combine various sectors - agriculture, nutrition, education, water, and economic development - were particularly successful.
At the same time, the report does not shy away from acknowledging where the work reaches its limits. Conflicts, climate crises, and economic instability threaten progress in many places. This is precisely why WHH focuses on longterm partnerships and resilient local systems rather than short-term, isolated measures.
“We don’t just examine whether projects are effective, but why. To this end, the new impact report combines data from the projects with on-site interviews and analyses - and highlights which approaches enable long-term change even under crisis conditions. Impact must not end when a project ends, but must live on in the structures that sustain change in the long term: in markets, communities, and institutions. This takes time, reliable partnerships, and the courage to think about development holistically,” emphasizes Iseli.
The new impact report also serves as a strategic tool: In the future, WHH intends to focus its projects even more strongly on long-term impact, local resilience, and systemic change.
Interviews
Bettina Iseli, Chief Program Officer of Welthungerhilfe (WHH), is available for interviews.
Welthungerhilfe is one of the largest private aid organizations in Germany; it is politically independent and non-denominational. With courage and determination, it is striving for a world without hunger. Since it was founded on December 14, 1962, 12,777 overseas projects in about 72 countries and territories have been supported with 5.42 billion euros. Welthungerhilfe follows the principle of empowering people to help themselves to sustainably improve their living conditions, through approaches ranging from fast disaster relief to reconstruction and long-term development cooperation projects with national and international partner organizations.
