A Continuous Commitment: Public Rice for International Assistance
According to FAO’s The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025, an estimated 673 million people—around 8.2 percent of the global population—experienced hunger in 2024. In recent years, climate change–driven disasters such as prolonged droughts, powerful hurricanes, and severe flooding, combined with regional conflicts and civil wars, have sharply worsened food insecurity and malnutrition in parts of the world.
The Agriculture and Food Agency (AFA) notes that Taiwan has implemented international humanitarian rice assistance since 2002. Guided by three principles—safeguarding domestic food security, avoiding disruption to international trade, and providing aid on a non-commercial basis—AFA works with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and domestic non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to deliver public rice stocks to countries and regions in urgent need. Over the past 23 years, the program has continued without interruption, assisting 45 countries with a cumulative total of 468,000 metric tons of milled rice.
In 2025, AFA again partnered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NGOs including the Tzu Chi Foundation, World Vision, and Good Neighbors to provide 21,200 metric tons of rice to 17 countries. The initiative reflects Taiwan’s ongoing commitment to humanitarian assistance and its practical contribution to global food security.
Public–Private Partnership: Values in Action Through Shared Effort
AFA explains that while the agency supplies the rice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and partner NGOs manage export logistics and on-the-ground distribution. Overseas implementing partners often operate in challenging environments and, at times, face personal safety risks while delivering aid. Despite these difficulties, they remain committed to ensuring that Taiwan’s support reaches those who need it most.
Distribution methods are adapted to local conditions. In some areas, rice is distributed directly to households; in others, it is provided alongside additional relief supplies, cooked into hot meals, or incorporated into school lunch programs. Beneficiaries include elderly people living alone, orphans, persons with disabilities, young children, and other vulnerable groups requiring long-term assistance. By helping provide daily meals and address immediate hunger, the program supports local communities in practical and meaningful ways, reflecting the human side of Taiwan’s engagement with the world.
Looking ahead, Taiwan plans to continue its international rice assistance in 2026, extending support to more communities and working with partners to help people across borders weather ongoing challenges.
