What is being done about the world food crisis?

December 31, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the World Bank, over 200 million people faced emergency and famine conditions at the start of 2023, a figure projected to rise. A mix of climate change, conflict, and economic shocks drives this ongoing struggle, but many global efforts are addressing what is being done about the world food crisis with urgency.

Quick Summary

International organizations, governments, and innovative companies are actively deploying a range of strategies to combat the global food crisis. Efforts include emergency food assistance, investing in climate-smart agriculture, developing resilient food systems, leveraging technology for greater efficiency, and strengthening food supply chains to combat the root causes of hunger.

Key Points

International organizations lead emergency relief: Agencies like the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Bank provide vital food assistance, cash transfers, and bolster national social safety nets in crisis-affected regions.
Sustainable agriculture is a long-term solution: Shifting towards resilient farming methods, such as agroforestry and using drought-resistant crops, is critical for long-term food security, especially with ongoing climate change.
Technology enhances production and distribution: Innovations like precision agriculture, vertical farming, blockchain for transparent supply chains, and mobile apps for farmers are increasing efficiency and resilience.
Focus is on local system resilience: Strengthening local food systems and empowering small-scale farmers helps reduce dependence on global supply chains and makes communities more self-sufficient.
Addressing root causes is key: The global effort goes beyond immediate aid to tackle the underlying causes of hunger, including conflict, climate change, and economic instability.
Collaboration is crucial for success: A coordinated effort among governments, international organizations, and the private sector is essential to maximize the impact of funding, policy, and innovation.

International Aid and Crisis Response

International bodies play a critical role in providing immediate relief and addressing the root causes of the food crisis. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) delivers life-saving food and cash assistance. Alongside other partners, WFP co-leads the Food Security Cluster during humanitarian crises. The World Bank has also increased financial support for food security and resilience.

These organizations address both immediate and long-term needs through strategies including:

Emergency food and cash transfers: Providing direct aid in hunger hotspots.
Strengthening national social safety nets: Supporting government programs for vulnerable populations.
Enhancing emergency preparedness: Improving early warning systems and supply pre-positioning.

Investing in Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Agriculture

A central long-term strategy involves shifting towards sustainable and climate-resilient farming. Climate change, through extreme weather, significantly impacts crop yields. To counter this, investments focus on techniques and technologies resilient to a changing climate.

Key investment areas include:

Climate-Smart Crop Varieties: Developing seeds resistant to drought and pests.
Soil Health Initiatives: Implementing techniques like agroforestry and cover cropping to improve soil and water retention.
Sustainable Water Management: Adopting advanced irrigation like drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting.

Leveraging Innovative Technology

Technology is transforming food production and distribution.

Precision Agriculture: Using GPS, drones, and sensors to optimize resource use.
Vertical Farming: Growing crops year-round in urban areas with less water and land.
Digital Supply Chain Solutions: Using blockchain for transparency and traceability to reduce waste.
Mobile Apps for Farmers: Providing real-time market data and techniques to small-scale farmers.

Comparing Crisis Response and Long-Term Solutions


Feature	Humanitarian Food Assistance (Crisis Response)	Sustainable Agriculture & Technology (Long-Term Solution)
Time Horizon	Immediate to short-term	Medium to long-term
Primary Goal	Save lives, avert famine, and protect livelihoods during crises	Build resilience, enhance productivity, and address root causes
Key Tools	Direct food aid, cash/voucher assistance, emergency logistics	GMOs, precision agriculture, improved seeds, advanced water management
Target Audience	Populations in acute humanitarian need, conflict zones, disaster areas	Small-scale farmers, rural communities, agricultural sectors worldwide
Key Challenge	Securing adequate funding and ensuring safe access in volatile regions	Addressing high initial costs and ensuring equitable access to technology
Effectiveness	Crucial for immediate survival and preventing widespread hunger	Vital for future food security and resilience against shocks

Strengthening Local Food Systems

Strengthening local food systems is also vital, particularly for empowering small-scale farmers. This includes connecting farmers to markets, providing access to farming inputs, and improving storage to reduce food loss. Supporting local systems lessens reliance on volatile global supply chains.

Conclusion: A Collaborative Path Forward

Addressing the world food crisis requires a comprehensive, collaborative approach. While emergency aid from organizations like WFP is critical, long-term solutions demand investment in sustainable agriculture, technology, and empowering local communities. By balancing immediate help with strategies tackling root causes such as conflict, climate change, and economic instability, the global community can build more resilient food systems for a food-secure future. The combined efforts of international bodies, governments, and innovators offer hope in tackling this challenge. Further details on achieving Zero Hunger, including addressing climate change, poverty, and conflict, can be found in the referenced WFP USA article(https://www.wfpusa.org/news/how-to-end-world-hunger-6-zero-hunger-solutions/).

Frequently Asked Questions

The World Food Programme (WFP) is a primary international body that provides emergency food aid and assistance to millions of people in crisis-affected areas, including conflict zones and regions impacted by natural disasters.

Climate change intensifies the food crisis by causing extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and heatwaves, which damage crops, degrade soil, and disrupt harvests. This leads to reduced agricultural productivity and unstable food prices globally.

Sustainable agriculture involves farming practices that meet current food needs without compromising future generations. It enhances resilience to climate change, conserves resources like water, and protects soil health, ensuring long-term food availability.

Yes, new technologies like precision agriculture (using GPS and sensors), vertical farming, and blockchain for transparent supply chains are being deployed. These innovations aim to optimize resource use, increase yields, and improve distribution.

Organizations like the World Bank, the WFP, and the FAO coordinate through partnerships such as the Global Alliance on Food Security. They also co-lead clusters, like the Food Security Cluster, during humanitarian crises to ensure a cohesive response.

Addressing food waste and loss is a key solution, particularly in low-income countries where much loss occurs during early production and storage stages. Technology and improved management practices are being used to reduce this waste.

Individuals can support organizations working on the frontlines, advocate for policy changes, reduce personal food waste, and support local or sustainable food systems. Some aid organizations even have apps like Share the Meal, allowing for micro-donations.