The Global Report on Food Crises, released by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN), paints a grim picture, indicating that the number of individuals facing food insecurity has increased by 24 million since 2022. The report, a collaborative effort by multiple UN agencies, government bodies, and NGOs, highlights the devastating impact of wars, climate change, and economic disruptions on global food security.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern, stating in the report’s foreword, “In a world of abundance, children are dying of hunger. War, climate chaos, and a cost-of-living crisis, compounded by inadequate action, have resulted in nearly 300 million people facing acute food crises in 2023. Funding is lagging behind the immense need.”
Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Syria, and Yemen continue to grapple with severe food crises. The political crisis in Haiti has further exacerbated the situation, with armed gangs controlling parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The report also expresses concern that the El Niño phenomenon could trigger severe droughts in western and southern Africa, potentially leading to widespread crop failures and livestock deaths. In 2023, approximately 700,000 people, including 600,000 in Gaza, were on the brink of starvation due to drought-induced food shortages.
