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Since Stop Hunger Now’s founding in 1998, we have distributed more than 286 million meals to recipients 74 countries, providing food and aid to the world’s most vulnerable people — whether impoverished or in crisis situations. These efforts would not be achievable if it were not for the hard work of Stop Hunger Now team members around the globe. Official affiliate country location sites include Southern Africa, Italy, India, Peru, Malaysia and this month’s focus, the Philippines.

Stop Hunger Now Philippines Executive Director Jomar Fleras is not only an international award winner for his documentary filmmaking abilities, but has worked on numerous international development projects throughout his career including, Family Health International, PATH, UNFPA, the European Union and more. He is now leading the global in-country office of the Philippines unit located in Paranaque City, where he continues his 25 years of development work through addressing the hunger crisis of the Pacific Island.

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This October, we are highlighting the work being done in the Philippines. More than 33% of children (nearly 4 million total) in the Philippines experience stunted growth as a result of chronic malnutrition and hunger. Here’s a closer look at Stop Hunger Now’s impact in the Philippines:

  • In light of Stop Hunger Now’s goal of ending hunger by 2030, Stop Hunger Now Philippines created a pillar system including: Projects, Products, Policies and Partnerships.
  • The Projects portion aims to implement lifestyles changes in environments including Home, School, Community, Micronutrient Supplementation, Food Assistance, Nutrition Education, Food Bank Councils and provide technical support and assistance to NGOs.
  • Stop Hunger Now Philippines has developed five variant Products of food packs to accommodate the authentic Filipino palate. Contracting farming is also done among community gardeners to include local dehydrated vegetables and fruits into the food packs.  
  • In the area of Policies, our Philippines office is currently lobbying with various government agencies for the formation of a Zero Hunger Commission that is patterned after Brazil’s Fome Zero Program.
  • In efforts to connect the public and private sectors, it is crucial to set up strong public-private Partnerships on food security and nutrition. Through effective collaboration with government agencies, civil society, academia, research centers and comparative advantages, food access barriers can be demolished. Collaborations with NGOs in the Philippines will continue to implement local community programs which focus on livelihood, health and foods.  Some partners include the Negrense Volunteers for Change and Iliranan Tribal Council.

Looking to the future, Fleras shared, “We are excited about the global direction and results framework of Stop Hunger Now. This will help us address hunger more effectively and efficiently”

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