Analysis of the Challenges of the World Food Programme in Addressing Food Security in Madagascar from 2019-2023

Résumé

Madagascar continues to face one of the highest levels of food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa, even after decades of international humanitarian intervention. Between 2019 and 2023, the World Food Programme (WFP) allocated substantial resources to combat hunger across the country, especially in the southern regions affected by drought. However, food security outcomes remain critically poor, raising questions about the institutional and structural barriers impeding long-term progress. This article explores why the WFP has failed to meet its stated objectives in Madagascar, shifting the analytical focus from operational delivery to systemic governance challenges. Using liberal institutionalist theory as a conceptual framework, the study applies a qualitative case study approach, drawing on WFP strategic documents, independent evaluations, and academic literature. The analysis identified six interrelated institutional weaknesses: fragmented data infrastructure, lack of enforcement mechanisms, limited reciprocity with local actors, poor coordination, short-term programmatic focus, and weak integration with broader development agendas. These limitations have reduced the effectiveness and sustainability of food interventions in the Malagasy context. The findings suggest that achieving food security in fragile environments requires more than technical efficiency or financial input. Effective responses must be grounded in inclusive governance, institutional accountability, and long-term planning. By highlighting the gap between resource mobilization and structural transformation, this article contributes to the broader debate on humanitarian governance and the need to redesign food aid systems for lasting impact.