The role of faith-based organizations in tackling food loss and waste in Rwanda: A preliminary study

The study finds that while faith-based organizations (FBOs) in Rwanda are deeply integrated into the food system—managing 75% of schools and 30% of health facilities—most lack formal food loss and waste (FLW) reduction programs. Key barriers include limited resources, knowledge, and skills. The paper argues that FBOs can be powerful agents of change for food security and climate resilience if supported through targeted capacity building, funding, and policy integration.

• Food loss and waste are severe in Rwanda, with nearly 40 percent of the annual food supply being lost or wasted, which impacts food security and climate resilience.
• Faith-based organizations (FBOs) have significant systemic reach in Rwanda, managing 75 percent of the country's schools and 30 percent of its health facilities, yet most do not have formal programs to reduce food loss and waste.
• The primary obstacles preventing FBOs from engaging in food loss and waste reduction are limited skills, knowledge, and awareness; meanwhile, government and private sector actors cite a lack of investment capital, enabling food policy, and best practices.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). The role of faith-based organizations in tackling food loss and waste in Rwanda: A preliminary study. https://www.wri.org/research/role-faith-based-organizations-tackling-food-loss-and-waste-rwanda-preliminary-study

Chicago

World Resources Institute. The role of faith-based organizations in tackling food loss and waste in Rwanda: A preliminary study. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/role-faith-based-organizations-tackling-food-loss-and-waste-rwanda-preliminary-study.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=The role of faith-based organizations in tackling food loss and waste in Rwanda: A preliminary study |url=https://www.wri.org/research/role-faith-based-organizations-tackling-food-loss-and-waste-rwanda-preliminary-study |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendrole, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{The role of faith-based organizations in tackling food loss and waste in Rwanda: A preliminary study}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/role-faith-based-organizations-tackling-food-loss-and-waste-rwanda-preliminary-study}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }