A new report has shown that one in 11 people around the globe faced hunger last year with the total number rising considerably higher than the pre-pandemic figure of 2019.
The latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report published on Wednesday by five United Nations specialized agencies showed that between 713 million and 757 million people faced hunger in 2023, approximately 152 million more than the level of 2019 when compared to the mid-range of last year's estimate.
The report, launched during the G20 Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty Task Force First Ministerial Meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly off track to achieve the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of 'Zero Hunger' by 2030.
A range of factors such as conflicts, climate change, and economic downturns are exacerbating food insecurity and malnutrition, which continues to worsen globally, the report says.
Highlighting the persistence of food insecurity, the report underscores that approximately 2.33 billion people faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023, a figure largely unchanged since the peak in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking ahead, the report cautions that about 582 million people could suffer chronic undernourishment by 2030, with half of them expected to be in Africa.
"Sadly, this year, the SOFI is showing that the numbers have not changed from the previous years, basically, which were already [comes after] years where we have seen already the increase because of COVID-19. So what we are reporting this year is that we have between 713 million and 757 million people which are chronically undernourished, people facing hunger. This is one out of 11 people in the world are facing hunger," said Maximo Torero, chief economist of the FAO.
This year's report, themed "Financing to end hunger, food insecurity and all forms of malnutrition," emphasizes the need for increased and more cost-effective financing, calling for a clear and standardized definition of financing for food security and nutrition.
The report noted that achieving the Zero Hunger sustainable development goal requires a comprehensive approach, which includes transforming and strengthening agrifood systems, addressing inequalities, and ensuring affordable and accessible healthy diets for all.
The SOFI report, released annually since 1999, is jointly compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
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One in 11 people faced hunger around world in 2023, UN report shows
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One in 11 people faced hunger around world in 2023, UN report shows
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One in 11 people faced hunger around world in 2023, UN report shows