Lesea Global Feed The Hungry

High crime rates, particularly in the realm of drug-trafficking 

Constant environmental problems, such as floods and earthquakes, which lead to poor farming practices and little access to food

Because the national government does not impose control over secondary education, only about half of all boys and girls continue their education past primary school. According to World Vision, "Public education standards have dropped in under-funded states, and in wealthier areas, where parents have moved their children to private schools, the state is reluctant to invest money in a poorly attended institution" ("Brazil", 2009).

Sri Lanka is still undergoing reconstruction after a 26-year long civil war which ended in 2009.

According to UNICEF, “Sri Lanka faces a challenge in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, which claimed tens of thousands of lives in the country. Property damage was extensive, and hundreds of thousands of people have fallen into poverty after losing their homes” (“Sri Lanka”, 2011). In late 2010 and early 2011, Sri Lanka was hit with another natural disaster, as severe flooding displaced hundreds of thousands, yet again.

According to World Vision Sri Lanka, “malnutrition has been the underlying cause of most deaths due to disease” in many parts of Sri Lanka (2011).

Violence and crime, especially in terms of drug trafficking, are rampant.

High unemployment rates

Suffered in 2010 from the worst flooding in years, with "damages estimated to exceed $6 billion" (CIA World Factbook, 2011).

According to World Vision, "nearly half of all Colombians still live in poverty" due to extreme income inequality and the effects of years of internal conflict between the government and the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). They report that "the richest 20 percent of the population earns 61 percent of the income, while the poorest 20 percent of people only earn 3 percent." Furthermore, an estimated 3 million people have been displaced from their homes due to the FARC-government conflict, and must "live in homes made of plastic sheeting with no electricity or running water." The World Bank has stated that the annual income for the average Colombian would be 50 percent higher today if not for the 20-year conflict ("Colombia", 2009). 

Poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

A massive earthquake in 2010 destroyed its capital city, Port-au-Prince, as well as much of the surrounding area.

Approximately half of the population is illiterate; poor access to education is one of its greatest disadvantages (CIA World Factbook, 2011). 

About 80% of the population lives below the national poverty line (CIA World Factbook, 2011).

Although Peru has seen much economic improvement over the past decade, widespread underemployment and economic inequality persists (CIA World Factbook, 2011).

About 35% of Peruvians live below the poverty line (CIA World Factbook, 2009). According to the Hunger Project, "Poverty levels in Peru are highest for indigenous groups. 43% of all households are facing moderate poverty, and 52% of those living in extreme poverty are indigenous. Indigenous women in Peru are a particularly disadvantaged group, enduring among the worst conditions of poverty, lack of health care and fundamental human rights" (2011).

Burundi is one of the least developed nations in the world, according to the United Nations’ Human Development Index. It is third only to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Niger (2011).

About 70% of the population lives at or below the national poverty line (World Bank, 2006 est.). It is reported to be the poorest country in the world in terms of GDP per capita, with the average person earning about $300 a year (CIA World Factbook, 2010 est.)

About 40% of children under the age of 5 are underweight (CIA World Factbook, 2000 est.).

“An ethnic-based war that lasted for over a decade resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, forced more than 48,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 140,000 others internally. Only one in two children go to school, and approximately one in 15 adults has HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply” (CIA World Factbook, 2011).

High rates of food/waterborne, water contact, and vectorborne diseases, along with HIV/AIDS

Currently enduring a famine due to the worst drought in 60 years

The unemployment rate is estimated to be at 40%, while 50% of the population lives under the poverty line (CIA World Factbook, 2008 and 2000 est.).

After years of civil war, “the security situation is still fragile and the process of rebuilding the social and economic structure of this war-torn country continues” (CIA World Factbook, 2011).

In terms of GDP per capita, Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world, with the average person earning about $500 in a year (CIA World Factbook, 2010 est.).

Liberia also has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world at 85%. 80% of the population lives below the poverty line (CIA World Factbook, 2003 and 2000 est.)

Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. The largely agrarian [90% of its workforce] and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa" (CIA World Factbook, 2011).

Less than half of the country has access to clean water, and less than 10% have access to improved sanitation facilities (CIA World Factbook, 2008 est.).

About 40% of Niger's children under the age of 5 are underweight, placing it 5th on the list of nations with the highest percentages of underweight children (CIA World Factbook, 2006 est.)

Less than 30% of the nation is literate (CIA World Factbook, 2005 est.)

80% of the population is Muslim. The remaining 20% includes both followers of indigenous religions and Christianity.

Violence due to religious, ethnic, and political differences has plagued the country for years. During a 40-year civil war with the north, it is estimated that “2.5 million people died—mostly civilians—due to starvation and drought” (CIA World Factbook, 2011). Many ethnic groups in the Darfur region have also suffered a genocide lasting 8 years at the hands of the Sudanese government.

South Sudan is a fragile new country, gaining its independence in July, 2011.  Located in a drought-prone region and following decades of war, “industry and infrastructure …are severely underdeveloped and poverty is widespread” (CIA World Factbook, 2011). In fact, according to World Vision, “a full 90% of the population lives below the poverty line—surviving on just half a dollar a day” (“World Vision in Africa”, 2011).

Less than 30% of the population is able to read and write (CIA World Factbook, 2011). 

Swazi people have one of the lowest life expectancy rates in the world, with the average person living only 48.66 years (CIA World Factbook, 2011).

Swaziland has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world. More than a quarter of the adult population is infected with HIV/AIDS (CIA World Factbook, 2011).

Swaziland has a staggering unemployment rate of 40%, which contributes to most of the population—69%--living below the poverty line (CIA World Factbook, 2006 est.).

“More than one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2006-07 because of drought” (CIA World Factbook, 2011).

Uganda has endured twenty years of terrorism, the massacre and displacement of thousands of Ugandans, and the abduction of well over 20,000 children to fight as soldiers under the Lord's Resistance Army.

Uganda, along with several other countries in East Africa, is currently suffering from the worst drought in 60 years.

According to the CIA World Factbook, Uganda has one of the highest numbers in the world in regards to people living with and dying of HIV/AIDS (2009 est.). Also in regards to health, less than half the population has access to improved sanitation facilities (2008 est.). Furthermore, Ugandans are at a very high risk of food and waterborne, vectorborne, water contact, and animal contact diseases (2009 est.). 16.4% of children under the age of five are underweight (2006 est.).

Stigmatized children--including the poor, Roma, disabled, and HIV/AIDS-positive--are at the greatest risk of being neglected, abused, or exploited. According to Relief Fund for Romania, one in five Romanian children is exploited, and "about 89% of the exploited children live in rural environments. Poverty [is] deemed to be the main cause of this situation" ("Why Help Romania?", 2011). Furthermore, "children from poor and rural areas are more likely than other children to be abandoned, institutionalized [where their rights and needs are not fully protected or met], to drop out of school, and later to be found on the streets" (UNICEF Romania Country Profile, 2011).

One quarter of Romanians live in poverty (CIA World Factbook, 2005 est.).

"In rural areas where access to healthcare is limited, vulnerable families often do not benefit from medical services, leading to the deaths of many children under the age of five" (World Vision, "Romania", 2011).

Buddhism is the official Cambodian religion, with 96% of the population adhering to Buddhism (CIA World Factbook, 2011).

20% of the population lost their lives under the genocide of the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975-1979. The memory and effects of the genocide leave a lasting scar on Cambodia (U.S. Department of State, 2011; Yale University, 2011).

"The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the poverty-ridden country side, which suffers from an almost total lack of basic infrastructure" (CIA World Factbook, 2011).

"Only two Christian organizations--a 'patriotic' Catholic association without official ties to Rome and the 'Three-Self-Patriotic' Protestant church--are sanctioned by the Chinese Government. Unregistered 'house' churches exist in many parts of the country. The extent to which local authorities have tried to control the activities of unregistered churches varies from region to region. However, the government suppresses the religious activities of "underground" Roman Catholic clergy who are not affiliated with the official patriotic Catholic association and have avowed loyalty to the Vatican, which the government accuses of interfering in the country's internal affairs. The government also severely restricts the activities of groups it designates as 'evil cults,' including several Christian groups and the Falun Gong spiritual movement" (U.S. Department of State, 2011).

Although China has the second largest economy in the world, the income per capita is still below the world average (CIA World Factbook, 2011).

"21.5 million [people in the] rural population live below the official 'absolute poverty' line (approximately $90 per year); an additional 35.5 million [people in the] rural population live above that level but below the official 'low income' line (approximately $125 per year)" (CIA World Factbook, 2007 est.).

India has more underweight children under the age of 5 than any other country in the world, with 43.5% of its children under the age of 5 being underweight and malnourished (CIA World Factbook, 2006 est.).

"India's long term challenges include widespread poverty, inadequate physical and social infrastructure, limited non-agricultural employment opportunities, insufficient access to quality basic and higher education, and accommodating rural-to-urban migration" (CIA World Factbook, 2011).

India has 2,548 total people groups, with 2,216 of them (87%) remaining unreached by the Gospel (The Joshua Project, 2011).

Natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, have devastated many areas of Indonesia in the past few years, killing and leaving thousands homeless (U.S. Department of State, 2011).

Indonesia is "home to the world's largest Muslim population" (CIA World Factbook, 2011).

"Current issues include: alleviating poverty, improving education, preventing terrorism,…stemming corruption,…holding the military and police accountable for human rights violations,…and controlling infectious diseases, particularly those of global and regional importance" (CIA World Factbook, 2011).

North Korea continues to suffer widespread malnutrition and food shortages after the famine in 1995, in which over 1 million people died. Since then, North Korea "has relied heavily on international aid to feed its population"; however, due to its policy of economic self-reliance, North Korea has also refused and prevented much food aid. According to LiNK Global, "33% of the population is currently undernourished, 23% of children under the age of five are underweight, and a near-total breakdown in the public health system has left an entire generation of children physically and mentally impaired"  (U.S. Department of State; CIA World Factbook; LiNK Global, "North Korea 101", 2011). 

Human rights abuses are reported to be severe and frequent. Religious freedom is virtually nonexistent.

Less than 1% of the Thai population practices Christianity. Nearly 95% of the population is Buddhist, and about 5% is Muslim (CIA World Factbook, 2000 census).

Due to the 2004 tsunami, "Thailand reported nearly 3,900 casualties, with another 2,800 missing and presumed dead. More than 3,300 homes were destroyed and 1,500 were damaged. The country's total damage estimates ran nearly $2.5 billion" (World Vision, "Thailand", 2011).  In late 2011, Thailand endured months of heavy flooding, killing a reported 500-600 people and displacing tens of thousands of Thai people (BBC, "Thailand flooding death toll tops 500", November 6, 2011; UNICEF, "Thai Floods", 2011).

Partnering with churches and ministries across the country, Feed The Hungry makes sure to take care of those at home as well as abroad. In 2011 Feed The Hungry partnered with numerous ministries across the nation to distribute almost 3.2 million pounds of food and relief supplies valued at nearly $8 million dollars.
 
In addition to our regular food distributions to partner ministries, Feed The Hungry responds with disaster relief supplies when hurricanes, flooding and storms devastate the lives and homes of Americans.

Zimbabwe is a tragic example of an African country suffering at the hands of its own ruler. President Mugabe will do anything to stay in power, even if it means abducting and murdering those who oppose him. A veil of fear has enveloped the people as nightmares become reality.
 
In addition to the ruthless political violence, a cholera epidemic has taken over 40,000 lives. With failing health, education, agriculture, and employment opportunities, Zimbabweans can only flee the devastation.
 
Feed The Hungry partners with Pastor Mukamuri and the Word of Faith church in Zimbabwe to bring hope to the hungry.
 
In a country where the majority of children are orphans, and many resort to selling their bodies for food, FTH has helped increase school enrollment by providing milk and rice meals. School administrators saw attendance jump from 850 children to 1120. As children attend school, teachers are encouraged to lead children in prayer, and pastors are allowed to minister in the schools.
 
By donating money for something as simple as milk, you are giving children a chance for safety from their violent culture and a future provided by Christian education.

Inescapable tension with surrounding countries has been a constant factor for Pakistan since its creation, and now, a Taliban invasion has mounted to a full-scale conflict. Millions of Pakistanis have been displaced, and very little have shelter or food.  Even before the violence began, Pakistanis had little to eat. The Kahsmir earthquake and financial problems initiated a food crisis that left 84.6% of the population living on less than US$2 a day. As millions of people have been torn from their homes, Pakistanis are trying to survive on much less revenue than before.
 
The heart of the FTH ministry in Pakistan lies in helping persecuted Christians living in a Muslim nation. After establishing local contacts in Pakistan, Feed The Hungry has been able to provide a way for these local pastors to reach their neighbors for Christ.  By sending food to Pakistan, FTH and its donors are helping people come to God in a country where persecution still touches many innocent lives.
 
"Thanks for your prayers and help in a time of need; this is truly an unprecedented opportunity for the Gospel to take root in the hostile Kashmir region. Christians were forbidden to even enter the areas where we are now ministering the Gospel! Your food and relief supplies have been the key to open the door into the villages and the villagers' hearts." – Salik (local Pakistani pastor)
 
"We came for food, but found a Father!"