Efforts to reduce hunger were hindered last year due to conflicts, economic instability, and extreme weather conditions, impacting around nine percent of the global population, as reported by UN agencies on Wednesday.
An estimated 733 million people experienced hunger in 2023, maintaining a steady level for the past three years after a significant increase following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hunger disproportionately affected Africa, where one in five individuals experienced hunger, compared to a global average of one in eleven. Progress was seen in Latin America and the Caribbean, while Asia struggled to eliminate undernourishment.
The broader goal of ensuring consistent access to adequate food for all also stagnated during this time.
Last year, 2.33 billion people, nearly 29 percent of the global population, experienced moderate or severe food insecurity, leading to skipping meals occasionally.
The report by the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and the World Health Organization indicates that the UN’s objective of a hunger-free world by 2030 is becoming less achievable.
Conflicts, climate change, and economic downturns are recognized as major drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition, compounded by ongoing issues such as inequality and the high cost of healthy diets.
A healthy diet was unaffordable for over a third of the world’s population in 2022, with significant disparities between low-income and high-income countries.
– ‘No time to lose’ –
The post-Covid economic recovery varied both within and between countries, according to David Laborde, an economist at the Food and Agriculture Organization. Wars and extreme weather events persisted in 2023, but there has been inadequate international action to address these challenges.
The report presented at a G20 summit in Brazil proposed a major overhaul of how food security and nutrition are financed to combat hunger effectively.
Coordination among donors, international agencies, NGOs, and foundations is essential to align priorities and ensure more effective long-term investments in food security and nutrition.
The report emphasized the need for a more collaborative and comprehensive approach to addressing food insecurity, including support for small-scale farmers and access to energy in rural areas.
Developing financial instruments that combine public and private funds can incentivize private investment in food security and ultimately contribute to political stability.
“There is no time to waste, as the consequences of inaction far outweigh the benefits of taking action as outlined in this report,” concluded Laborde.
jum/imm