A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has highlighted the alarming global hunger crisis, with one in eleven people, or approximately 733 million individuals, facing hunger in 2023. In Africa, the situation is even more dire, with one in five people experiencing hunger.
The report indicates that progress towards eradicating hunger by 2030 is far from being achieved, with levels of undernourishment comparable to those seen over a decade ago in 2008-2009. Regional trends vary, with hunger on the rise in Africa and Latin America, while remaining stable in Asia.
Chief Economist of the FAO, Maximo Torero, pointed out the importance of social protection programs in effectively combating hunger. While South America has made significant progress in this regard, Africa still lacks the institutional capacity to deliver targeted interventions to address food insecurity.
The report attributes the worsening food insecurity and malnutrition to various factors, including food price inflation, conflict, climate change, and economic downturns. If current trends persist, an estimated 582 million people will suffer from chronic malnutrition by 2030, with half of them residing in Africa.
Access to affordable and healthy diets continues to be a critical issue, with over 2.33 billion people worldwide facing moderate or severe food insecurity. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this crisis in 2020, and the report emphasizes the need for urgent action to address these challenges and ensure food security for all.
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