Nearly 282 million people suffered from acute hunger in 2023, according to a UN-led report compiled by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN) that assessed global food security and was released on Wednesday. 2023 is, hence, the fifth consecutive year of rises in the number of people facing food insecurity.
Hunger Crisis Trends
The report painted a very bleak picture of the global food crisis, attributing the increase in acute hunger to conflicts, extreme weather events and economic shocks. Compared to 2022, the number of people facing acute food insecurity grew by 24 million.
Key Findings
The FSIN report, produced jointly by several UN agencies, the European Union, government bodies and NGOs, revealed that 2023 witnessed a significant increase in the number of people suffering from acute hunger. This distressing trend, having persisted for five consecutive years, raises concerns about global responses to food crises.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in the foreword of the report, bewailed the tragic reality where children are starving to death in a world of plenty. He mentioned the role of war, climate chaos and a cost-of-living crisis in worsening the food crisis and emphasised the need for adequate funding to address growing humanitarian needs.
In a world of plenty, children are starving to death.
That is unacceptable.
Last year, the number of people on the cusp of famine doubled – to over 700,000.
The global food crisis requires an urgent global response.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 24, 2024
Geographical Hotspots of Food Insecurity
The report identified several global hotspots where food insecurity was most prevalent. Major food crises persisted in countries like Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Syria and Yemen. Additionally, worsening conditions were observed in Sudan, particularly due to ongoing conflicts, and in the Gaza Strip.
Haiti also experienced deteriorating food security due to political instability and reduced agricultural production. Armed groups seizing agricultural land worsened the situation, leading to increased food insecurity in Port-au-Prince.
Nearly 72 Million Affected – Floods, Droughts and Other Phenomenon
The report warned about the potential impact of the El Niño climate phenomenon, which could worsen drought conditions in western and southern Africa. Already, several states in the region, such as Zimbabwe and Malawi, had declared emergencies due to severe drought.
Extreme climatic events such as floods and droughts emerged as significant factors contributing to acute food insecurity, affecting about 72 million people across 18 states. These events along with economic shocks pushed millions more into food crisis situations.
Instances of Progress
The report also highlighted instances of progress in some regions. In 2023, 17 states, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine, witnessed improvements in their food security situation.
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