Global Report on Food Crisis reveals persistent and escalating acute food insecurity challenges across 59 countries, driven by conflict, extreme weather, and economic shocks.
Overview of Food Insecurity
- Nearly 282 million people were facing high levels of acute food insecurity in 2023 across 59 countries.
- Despite a slight decrease from 2022, the proportion of people experiencing acute food insecurity remains significantly higher than pre-COVID-19 levels, persisting at nearly 22%.
Primary Drivers of Food Crisis
- Conflict/Insecurity: The leading cause in 20 countries, affecting 135 million people.
- Notably, Palestine (Gaza Strip) and Sudan experienced severe food crises.
- Weather Extremes: Main driver in 18 countries, influencing over 72 million people’s food security due to events like El Nino and climate change-induced phenomena.
- Economic Shocks: A critical issue in 21 countries, particularly affecting low-income and import-dependent nations, with 75 million people impacted.
Geographical Highlights
- Sudan: Severe deterioration in food security due to ongoingarmed conflict, with nearly one-third of its population needing emergency food aid.
- The armed conflict entered its southeastern regions, which is known as the nation’s breadbasket.
- Palestine (Gaza Strip): Almost 80% of the population was internally displaced by the end of 2023, with catastrophic food insecurity levels anticipated.
Statistical Insights
- The number of people facing acute food insecurity increased by 24 million from 2022, marking the fifth consecutive year of rising figures.
- Acute food insecurity worsened in 12 countries compared to 2022, with 13.5 million more people requiring urgent assistance.
- Overall, 1 in 5 people assessed were in need of critical urgent action.
Impact of Displacement
- Conflict-driven displacement reached 90 million people across the 59 countries, with Sudan emerging as the world’s biggest internal displacement crisis.
- The correlation between displacement and acute food insecurity underscores the urgent need for humanitarian action.
Positive Developments
- Food security improved in 17 countries from 2022 to 2023, with 7.2 million fewer people facing high levels of acute food insecurity.
About Global Network against Food Crises:
- The GNAFC is a coalition formed by humanitarian and development organizations dedicated to addressing the underlying causes of food crises.
- It was initiated by the European Union, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), and WFP (World Food Programme) during the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit.
- The formation was a response to the summit’s call for innovative strategies to tackle protracted crises, recurrent disasters, and to improve vulnerability reduction and risk management.
Objectives:
- The network aims to bridge the gap between development and humanitarian efforts to improve responses to acute food insecurity.
- It focuses on vulnerable populations, striving to enhance humanitarian aid effectiveness through better coordination.
Strategic Approach:
- The GNAFC promotes collaborative analysis and joint efforts across the Humanitarian, Development, and Peace (HDP) nexus.
- By integrating these areas, it seeks to foster sustainable solutions to food crises globally.
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