Causes of world hunger
There are many reasons why people are facing hunger and malnutrition around the world, including conflict, violence, poverty, climate change and climate-related disasters.
Conflict
People in Sudan fleeing their neighbourhoods amid fighting between the army and paramilitaries in Khartoum.
War and conflict are the biggest causes of hunger in the world today. War disrupts people growing and exporting crops all over the world, which is increasing food shortages in regions directly impacted by the violence and beyond.
Those who survive conflict will have their lives blighted. Many will have their future health, wealth and wellbeing compromised. As a result, they’re more likely to raise their children in poverty.
Climate change and climate-related disasters
Local women plant rice in Paguir, South Sudan. The rice has been recently introduced by Action Against Hunger after 3 years of continuous flooding in an act to overcome the growing hunger crisis in the area.
The changing climate is causing high temperatures and extreme weather for people living in the toughest places on earth. Rain is increasing in some regions and at record low levels in others. Extreme weather that cranks up hunger and risk of famines is rising, including disasters like:
- droughts
- cyclones
- floods
- earthquakes
- tsunamis.
The climate crisis is a humanitarian emergency. Without change, the warming climate and consequent biodiversity loss will cause a global food crisis. Extreme weather events, like cyclones and long-term droughts, will become more frequent and crop growing seasons will be shorter.
Poverty
Poverty is a major cause of food insecurity. Even though the world produces enough food to feed the entire population, four out of ten people in the world can’t afford a healthy diet.
Some countries experience poverty and low levels of food security more than others. In South Asia, 13 million jobs need to be created every year to keep pace with population growth.
Poverty often leads to a downward spiral of despair. Families start by cutting back on clothing and leisure activities. Then they start cutting back on nutritious, varied food – before cutting back on food altogether.
Gender inequality and food insecurity
Around the world, women and girls are most at risk of malnourishment. In countries facing conflict and famine, women and girls often eat last and have the least access to healthy food.
Women need about 25% less energy per day than men, but the same amount of nutrients. This means their diet needs include more nutrient-rich foods.
But the healthy food women and girls need to thrive is often unaffordable. Across the world, nutritious foods like fruit, vegetables and protein cost the most.
