The UN’s State of Food Insecurity report, which launched today, reveals that levels of global hunger continue to rise each year. The report predicts that by 2030 there will be 670 million people in the world facing hunger, the same number as in 2015, when the Sustainable Development Goal to end hunger by 2030 agenda was agreed.
“The release of the UN’s State of Food Insecurity report today paints a stark picture of a worsening global hunger crisis,” says Kate Munro, Action Against Hunger’s Head of Advocacy.
“Due to rising inequality, conflict and climate breakdown, it is devastating to watch global progress at ending hunger and poverty go into reverse.”
“Right now, we have a global food system which is fuelling widespread and worsening rates of hunger and malnutrition, from which women and girls are worst affected. Over 87% of people in East Africa cannot afford a healthy diet; a region where people are facing famine due to one of the longest droughts in decades.
“It is clear that there is a desperate need for an ambitious response from the UK and other governments; this can counter the woefully low levels of funding given to some of the countries most vulnerable to widespread hunger. Whilst a swathe of new initiatives, including the Global Alliance for Food Security from the G7, has the potential to really turn the tide on rising hunger, we urgently need to invest in humanitarian responses and transform food systems to save lives.”
Kate Munro is available for interview upon request