Global Hunger Soars, Posing Major Setback to Ending Hunger by 2030, Says UN Report

The United Nations stated on Wednesday that approximately 735 million people worldwide experienced chronic hunger in 2022, a significantly higher number compared to pre-COVID-19 times.

This alarming figure poses a threat to the global objective of eradicating hunger by 2030.

According to the UN’s annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report, although hunger rates had been steadily increasing over the years, they leveled off in the previous year as many countries began recovering economically from the pandemic.

However, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its impact on food and energy prices counteracted some of these economic gains.

The report reveals that the number of hungry people in 2022 was estimated to be 122 million higher than in 2019, and the world is now considered “far off track” from achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of ending hunger by 2030.

Instead, the report projects that by 2030, approximately 600 million individuals will suffer from undernourishment.

Maximo Torero Cullen, the chief economist of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated in an interview with Reuters that hunger is stabilizing at a persistently high level, which is distressing news.

The report identifies several key factors contributing to global hunger in recent years, including livelihood disruptions caused by conflicts, climate extremes that threaten agricultural production, and economic hardships exacerbated by the pandemic.

While some regions, such as South America and many parts of Asia, have witnessed a decline in hunger, the Caribbean, Western Asia, and Africa have experienced an increase in hunger rates.

Kevin Mugenya, the food systems director for Mercy Corps, an international aid group, emphasized the need for nations to combine humanitarian assistance with the strengthening of local food supply chains.

He stated in an interview with Reuters that localized solutions are essential.

The report was compiled by the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development, Children’s Fund, World Health Organization, World Food Programme, and FAO.

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