Burundi, a small landlocked country in East Africa, has been grappling with the twin challenges of poverty and food insecurity for decades. The country’s fragile economy, coupled with its limited arable land and unpredictable climate, has made it difficult for its 13.4 million citizens to access basic necessities. As a result, millions of Burundians face poverty and food insecurity which will have far-reaching consequences on their health, education, and overall well-being.
Recent data indicates that 81% of Burundians live in poverty with most finding it difficult to have access to essentials such as food, water, and medical care. Parents are forced to make difficult decisions between providing for their own needs and satisfying those of their children which directly affects food security.
Hunger
According to a recent analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, it is predicted that around 1.2 million people in Burundi will experience high levels of acute food insecurity between June and September 2024, highlighting the dire consequences for this East African nation.
Burundi’s child stunting rate, which stands at 56%, is among the highest in the world, according to UNICEF. Parallel to this, there has been little to no change in the levels of underweight and wasting in children over the past several years.
The World Food Program (WFP) states that Burundi’s severe economic problems, which include a steady fall in the value of the national currency, high inflation, and rising prices for staple foods as a result of fuel shortages, are among the main causes of poverty and food insecurity. Another issue is that the country’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture which is vulnerable to climate change, soil erosion, and pests. This has led to frequent crop failures which, in turn, have resulted in food shortages and price hikes. Furthermore, the country’s lack of infrastructure such as roads, storage facilities, and markets, makes it difficult for farmers to access markets to sell their produce, further exacerbating poverty and food insecurity.
Poverty
Another factor contributing to poverty and food insecurity in Burundi is the country’s high population growth rate. With an average annual population growth rate of 2.5%, Burundi’s population is projected to double in the next 25 years, putting additional pressure on the country’s already strained resources and resulting in increased competition for those resources.
“The situation is dire,” said Dr. Jeanne Niyonzima, a leading expert on food security in Burundi. “Poverty is the primary driver of food insecurity in our country. When people are struggling to make ends meet, they are forced to sacrifice meals, leading to malnutrition, stunted growth, and a range of other health problems.”
According to a report by the World Health Organization, the consequences of food insecurity are far-reaching, affecting not only individuals but also the broader economy. Children who are malnourished are more likely to underperform at school thus propagating the cycle of destitution. Adults who are undernourished are less productive which leads to decreased economic output and further exacerbates poverty.
The Burundian government, in collaboration with international organizations, has launched initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of poverty and food insecurity. These efforts include programs to improve agricultural productivity, enhance access to markets, and provide emergency food assistance to those in need.
International assistance
The World Bank collection of development indicators reports that in 2022, net official development assistance and official aid received in Burundi was estimated to be US$577 million.
These funds came from various international partners including NGOs which are also playing a crucial role in addressing the problems in Burundi. Organizations like Oxfam, Save the Children, and CARE International are focused on improving access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, especially for women and girls who are disproportionately affected. Moreover, international organizations such as IFAD and AfDB are providing financial and technical support to bolster Burundi’s agricultural development, aiming to increase agricultural productivity, food security, and the incomes of smallholder farmers.
The WFP, for instance, provided food assistance to 1.28 million people in 2023 in vulnerable households, including refugees, internally displaced persons, and host communities. The WFP has also been working to improve the country’s agricultural productivity through initiatives such as crop diversification, irrigation, and post-harvest management.
However, more needs to be done to address the scale and complexity of the problem.
“We require a sustained and coordinated effort to tackle poverty and food insecurity in Burundi,” said Dr. Jeanne Niyonzima. “This includes investing in rural development, improving healthcare services, and providing education and job training programs to empower individuals and communities.”
