Disasters & Accidents

Global hunger increases by 161 million in 2020

Rome, Jul 12 (EFE).- The number of people who suffered from hunger last year increased by 161 million compared to the previous year, the latest annual UN report on the state of food security and hunger in the world showed on Monday.

“We are not on track to ending world hunger and malnutrition – in fact, we are moving in the wrong direction,” the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization said.

The report was prepared in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Program and the World Health Organization.

Malnutrition grew from 8.4 percent in 2019 to 9.9 percent last year to between 720 and 811 million after remaining practically unchanged in the previous five years.

Africa is the worst hit; with one in five people struggling with hunger (21 percent), followed by Latin America (9.1 percent) and Asia (9 percent).

Although the coronavirus pandemic has had an impact, it is “a small part of a much bigger problem,” the report added.

The report blamed other factors for worsening the situation such as “conflict, climate variability and extremes, and economic slowdowns and downturns.” EFE

tcm/ta/ks

Related Articles

Back to top button