A recent Global Report on Food Crises released by the United Nations has shed light on the dire situation of acute hunger affecting nearly 282 million people in 59 countries in 2023. This marks a significant increase from the previous year, with 24 million more individuals facing severe food insecurity.
The report highlighted war-torn Gaza as the territory with the largest number of people facing famine, with over 80% of those at risk of imminent famine residing in the region. Other countries such as South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Somalia, and Mali also have thousands of individuals facing catastrophic hunger.
According to the report's findings, 705,000 people in five countries are currently at Phase 5, the highest level of hunger on the scale determined by international experts. This number is the highest recorded since the inception of the global report in 2016, indicating a worsening global food crisis.
Conflicts, such as the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and internal displacement crisis in Sudan, have been identified as major drivers of food insecurity. Additionally, environmental factors like the El Nino phenomenon have exacerbated the situation, leading to flooding and drought in various regions of Africa.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the report as a 'roll call of human failings,' emphasizing the urgent need for a comprehensive response to address the underlying causes of acute hunger and malnutrition. He stressed the importance of adequate funding and access to resources to combat food insecurity effectively.
The report, a collaborative effort involving 16 partners including U.N. agencies and international bodies, serves as a critical tool in monitoring and addressing food crises worldwide. It underscores the pressing need for concerted global action to prevent further escalation of hunger and suffering among vulnerable populations.
