Impact Report Welthungerhilfe

Are our projects successful?

The Welthungerhilfe (WHH) Impact Report provides the answer: yes, and in many areas of impact, we have improved further in recent years.

Sebastian Schuster MEAL Team Lead

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We are committed to measuring the impact of our work and presenting it transparently. The Impact Report is our central source of evidence for this. Based on systematically collected data, it shows the results our programs achieve, where they are particularly effective, and where adjustments are needed.

What is WHH’s Impact Report?

The Impact Report shows what our work actually achieves and the conclusions we draw from it for our strategy. It is not simply a retrospective review, but an evidence-based foundation for future decisions.

Welthungerhilfe's Impact Report

This report takes stock of quantitative results from a significant part of our projects and programs.

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The current Impact Report builds on our first report from 2022 and takes a significant step forward. It not only measures impact systematically using standardized indicators, but also explains how and why change happens. Drawing on data and insights from 188 projects in 30 countries between 2022 and 2024, the new Impact Report combines quantitative results with qualitative analysis, making impact clear, comparable, and actionable. These projects represent around one third of all our work during this period, providing a representative sample.

The Impact Report is therefore a strategic management tool. It links verifiable results with concrete commitments for the future. Its aim is to consistently translate existing evidence into effective action, in order to further advance the goal of Zero Hunger on a healthy planet.

Results: What does WHH’s work achieve?

The WHH Impact Report shows that almost all areas of impact have improved, based on a much stronger data foundation than in the first report from 2022. The full report provides detailed insights into each area of analysis. A brief overview of the key results is available here:

Cut sweet potatoes as a symbol for how the number of food-secure months for households increased from an average of 7.4 months to 9.1 months per year, representing a 23% improvement.

Symbolic food on a plate: Among women of reproductive age, the proportion achieving a minimally diverse diet increased from 13% to 40% – a relative increase of 217% compared with baseline levels.

Symbolic bottles of water: Household access to at least basic drinking water services rose from 25% to 58%, corresponding to a 129% increase compared with baseline coverage.

Symbolic cash in a jar: 56% of households reported an increase in cash income over the project period

Stack of chairs as a symbol for how women able to influence community decision-making increased from 15% to 40%, representing a 165% rise compared to baseline levels.

Symbolic peanuts and peanut butter for how participants in Welthungerhilfe training interventions improved their employment situation.

Food security: The number of food-secure months for households increased from an average of 7.4 months to 9.1 months per year, representing a 23% improvement. © Welthungerhilfe

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Nutrition security: Among women of reproductive age, the proportion achieving a minimally diverse diet increased from 13% to 40% – a relative increase of 217% compared with baseline levels. © Welthungerhilfe

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Drinking water: Household access to at least basic drinking water services rose from 25% to 58%, corresponding to a 129% increase compared with baseline coverage. © Welthungerhilfe

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Economic development: 56% of households reported an increase in cash income over the project period. © Welthungerhilfe

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Gender equality and women's empowerment: Women able to influence community decision-making increased from 15% to 40%, representing a 165% rise compared to baseline levels. © Welthungerhilfe

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Skills development and employment: 79% of participants in Welthungerhilfe training interventions successfully completed their courses. 46% of Welthungerhilfe's "Skill Up!" program graduates have found employment or improved their employment situation in occupations related to their training within one year. © Welthungerhilfe

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Improved food and nutrition security: The number of food-secure months for households increased from an average of 7.4 months to 9.1 months per year, representing a 23% improvement. Among women of reproductive age, the proportion achieving a minimally diverse diet increased from 13% to 40% – a relative increase of 217% compared with baseline levels.

Household access to at least basic drinking water services rose from 25% to 58%, corresponding to a 129% increase compared with baseline coverage.

79% of participants in Welthungerhilfe training interventions successfully completed their courses. 46% of Welthungerhilfe's "Skill Up!" program graduates have found employment or improved their employment situation in occupations related to their training within one year.

Gender equality and women's empowerment: Women able to influence community decision-making increased from 15% to 40%, representing a 165% rise compared to baseline levels.

Economic development: 56% of households reported an increase in cash income over the project period.

Data Basis and Methodology

The Impact Report is based on a systematic analysis of 188 completed projects from 2022 to 2024. In total, it incorporates 316 quantitative data sets and 79 qualitative assessments.

How we define impact

In the Impact Report, we explain how we understand and assess impact. In doing so, we move away from a purely linear model in which outputs, outcomes, and impact are seen as sequential stages in a results chain. In complex contexts such as combating hunger and poverty, change rarely occurs along clear, linear cause-and-effect pathways.

Our understanding of impact therefore places the question of causality at the center: which changes can plausibly be linked to an intervention, and how robust is that connection?

To address this, in 2024 we introduced new definitions of “outcomes” and “impact” in our publication “Defining Impact”:

Outcomes are observable changes in people’s behavior, in the well-being of people and the environment, and in the structures and practices of systems. They are considered outcomes if there is a plausible link to an intervention, based on experience, existing evidence, or theoretical reasoning. Outcomes can be intended or unintended, positive or negative.
Impact refers to those outcomes that are relevant to people affected by hunger and poverty and for which the causal link to an intervention is supported by appropriate, context-specific evidence. The key consideration is not proof of isolated causation, but a clear and credible explanation of the contribution a measure has made to a given change.

Based on this understanding, WHH combines professional rigor with transparency: impact is not only measured, but also systematically substantiated and disclosed.

How we measure impact in our projects

The Impact Report does not view change as one-dimensional. Instead, impact is analyzed along four dimensions:

Reach – How many people or systems are experiencing change?
Magnitude – How significant is the change?
Sustainability – How stable and long-lasting is it?
Equity – How equitably is it distributed?

These four perspectives help interpret results in context and make visible what works, when, for whom, and why.

Graph showing the four dimensions of change: magnitude, duration, equity and reach. — There are four dimensions to measuring change: magnitude, duration, equity and reach. © Welthungerhilfe

How we measure changes influenced by our projects

The backbone of Impact Report 2.0 is the 11 so-called Measuring Success indicators. They measure changes that can be directly influenced by WHH‘s work. These are not simply outputs of activities, such as the construction of a well, but outcomes—for example, people consuming clean drinking water and, as a result, experiencing fewer illnesses.

The Measuring Success indicators were selected in 2023 as part of a comprehensive revision of the monitoring system, with the aim of creating a standardized yet flexible framework that reflects WHH‘s dual role as a humanitarian and development actor.

The 11 Measuring Success indicators are:

Months of Adequate Household Food Provisioning (MAHFP): The number of months per year during which a household had an adequate supply of food.
FCS – Food Consumption Score: The proportion of households that have sufficient quantities and variety of food available.
MDD-W – Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women: Proportion of women aged 15 to 49 with at least minimal dietary diversity (≥ 5 food groups).
Access to at least basic drinking water service: Proportion of households with access to basic drinking water services.
Access to at least basic sanitation services: Percentage of households with access to basic sanitation services.
Increase in household cash income: Percentage of households that were able to increase their income during the project period.
Graduates in relevant employment after training: Percentage of graduates who find employment or improve their employment situation after completing a WHH training program.
Use of sustainable and resilient agriculture or land-management practices: Percentage of households that use sustainable and resilient agricultural or land-use practices.
Use of climate adaptation / mitigation / preparedness measures: Percentage of households that use measures to adapt to and mitigate climate risks.
Women’s participation in community decision-making: The proportion of women who actively participate in decision-making processes in their communities.
Participant satisfaction with assistance received: The proportion of participants who are satisfied with the humanitarian assistance (in terms of relevance, quality, timeliness, and fairness).

Impact Report: Our projects drive sustainable change

Our Impact Report shows that combined interventions such as agricultural support, capacity strengthening, water, sanitation and hygiene services, and gender equality measures reinforce one another.

Project examples: Selected projects with impact

Mary Bockarie und ihr Mann, Bockarie S. Kamara, kümmern sich um ihre Kinder

Sierra Leone

As part of the Nutrition Smart CommUNITY program, families from the village of Gbandi took part in training that connects directly to their everyday life: nutrition sessions, cooking classes, workshops on shared family responsibilities, a mothers’ group, and regular meetings of a village savings group have opened up new prospects not only for them, but for others as well. Each of these activities strengthens daily life for people in Gbandi. They show how community support and newly acquired knowledge can help overcome hunger.

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Syria

Due to the project led by WHH and local partners, participating Syrian vegetable farmers can feed themselves with their harvest and sell the surplus produce at local markets. The additional source of income means they can afford products beyond their usual nutritional needs, such as household goods and clothing.

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Two women sit on the floor with a bowl full of dough and prepare food.

Madagascar

Training in modern farming methods and their implementation, such as the production of quality seeds, has led to higher and better-quality crop yields. Participants can provide their families with nutritious vegetables and sell surpluses. Exchanges between communities have also been helpful to learn what works best in other villages. Through training, women and men can apply optimized cultivation methods.

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WASH in Simbabwe: Zwei Frau holen Wasser.

Zimbabwe

In the northeast of the country, a project saw defective pipelines and boreholes repaired and water quality monitoring introduced. The results have been positive: year-round availability of safe water in homes, clinics, schools and business centers. In Rushinga district, the project established water point committees and training in effective management, leading to improved hygiene and safety at water points.

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People standing around table with peanut products.

Niger

Training in production diversification, such as food processing, was successful: After completion of the project, the participants had access to various forms of income, e.g., the sale of peanut oil. They used the money to pay for school supplies for their children, among other things. Other participants were able to increase their income through training about the livestock sector.

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Nepal

Promoting women's empowerment. In two communities in the districts of Rautahat and Saptari, women are raising their voices against early marriage and domestic violence. They are also advocating for a nutritious diet. Women who have been trained in dealing with local authorities and service providers as part of the project have meant that families now also have access to social security benefits.

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Zainab Mussavi, an employee of the organization LOST, stands in the greenhouse where fresh tomatoes are growing.

Lebanon

"The first job in seven years": Syrian teacher Zainab couldn't work after she had to flee her home country. Job opportunities are few as a refugee, and she teaches her children at home. Training in food processing has changed her life for the better, as she has work again and is meeting new people. After completing her course, Zainab wants to start her own business and make a fresh start.

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Sierra Leone

As part of the Nutrition Smart CommUNITY program, families from the village of Gbandi took part in training that connects directly to their everyday life: nutrition sessions, cooking classes, workshops on shared family responsibilities, a mothers’ group, and regular meetings of a village savings group have opened up new prospects not only for them, but for others as well. Each of these activities strengthens daily life for people in Gbandi. They show how community support and newly acquired knowledge can help overcome hunger.

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Syria

Due to the project led by WHH and local partners, participating Syrian vegetable farmers can feed themselves with their harvest and sell the surplus produce at local markets. The additional source of income means they can afford products beyond their usual nutritional needs, such as household goods and clothing.

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Madagascar

Training in modern farming methods and their implementation, such as the production of quality seeds, has led to higher and better-quality crop yields. Participants can provide their families with nutritious vegetables and sell surpluses. Exchanges between communities have also been helpful to learn what works best in other villages. Through training, women and men can apply optimized cultivation methods.

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Zimbabwe

In the northeast of the country, a project saw defective pipelines and boreholes repaired and water quality monitoring introduced. The results have been positive: year-round availability of safe water in homes, clinics, schools and business centers. In Rushinga district, the project established water point committees and training in effective management, leading to improved hygiene and safety at water points.

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Niger

Training in production diversification, such as food processing, was successful: After completion of the project, the participants had access to various forms of income, e.g., the sale of peanut oil. They used the money to pay for school supplies for their children, among other things. Other participants were able to increase their income through training about the livestock sector.

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Nepal

Promoting women's empowerment. In two communities in the districts of Rautahat and Saptari, women are raising their voices against early marriage and domestic violence. They are also advocating for a nutritious diet. Women who have been trained in dealing with local authorities and service providers as part of the project have meant that families now also have access to social security benefits.

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Lebanon

"The first job in seven years": Syrian teacher Zainab couldn't work after she had to flee her home country. Job opportunities are few as a refugee, and she teaches her children at home. Training in food processing has changed her life for the better, as she has work again and is meeting new people. After completing her course, Zainab wants to start her own business and make a fresh start.

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Our projects contribute to sustainable positive changes. However, these alone are not enough. To realize the right to food, we need long-term positive structural change. For this, we also need to further intensify our commitment to implementing rights-based projects.

Nutrition Smart village in India: Women and children sit in a group and learn how to have a balanced diet. — In the community meeting place of a Nutrition Smart village in India, women and children come together to gain knowledge about balanced nutritious diets and health and hygiene standards. © Zeitz / Welthungerhilfe

Local communities and civil society need more space to be heard, and governments and the private sector require more support to optimize partnerships with civil society. To move closer to this goal, we aim to further improve our organization-wide knowledge of the impacts and changes we achieve.

In the wake of increasing conflict and climate shocks, we need to promote system-strengthening approaches to build resilience in food systems. One example is our global WASH program, which aims to sustainably improve water, sanitation and hygiene – in collaboration with civil society, government stakeholders and the private sector.

We are also taking a more holistic approach to food systems, which is the only way to make food access and use more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.

WHH‘s impact measurement approach is continuously evolving. We are currently planning to expand the Impact Report into additional dynamic, digital formats and to publish regular updates.