Global food crisis: 1 in 5 people in need of urgent action

Summary

In 2023, nearly 282 million people across 59 countries faced high levels of acute food insecurity, driven primarily by conflict and extreme weather events. Conflict affected 135 million people, particularly in Sudan and Gaza. Weather crises, including the El Niño event, impacted 72 million people in 18 countries. Economic shocks were the third major factor. The Global Report on Food Crises highlighted that children and women are the most affected, with over 36 million children under five acutely malnourished. Despite some improvements in 17 countries, the overall number of people in crisis continues to rise.

Takeaways

• 🌍 In 2023, nearly 282 million people faced high levels of acute food insecurity across 59 countries.
• 🌪️ Extreme weather was the second most significant factor driving this food crisis.
• 🔫 Conflict was the primary driver of the food crisis, particularly in hot spots like Palestine and Sudan.
• 👥 In 20 countries, conflict was the main cause of food insecurity, directly affecting 135 million people.
• 🚨 One in five people in the analyzed report required urgent action due to food insecurity, with conflict in Sudan and Gaza being significant contributors.
• 🏠 The number of forcibly displaced people reached 90 million in 59 countries, highlighting the link between displacement and acute food insecurity.
• 🍽️ Sudan faces one of the worst food crises globally, with almost a third of its population needing emergency food aid.
• 🌡️ Extreme weather events, including El Niño and climate change, caused food insecurity in 18 countries, affecting over 72 million people.
• 📉 Economic shocks were the third major driver of food insecurity, impacting 21 countries.
• 👶 Over 36 million children under 5 years old were acutely malnourished across 32 countries, with women and children being the most affected.

Q & A

What was the primary driver of the global food crisis in 2023?

Conflict was the primary driver of the global food crisis in 2023, especially in conflict hotspots such as Palestine and Sudan.

How many people faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2023?

Nearly 282 million people faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 59 countries in 2023.

What role did extreme weather play in the food crisis?

Extreme weather was the second most significant factor driving the food crisis, affecting over 72 million people across 18 countries.

How many people were affected by conflict as the main reason for food insecurity?

Conflict directly affected 135 million people across 20 countries in 2023, making it the main reason for food insecurity in these regions.

What correlation was highlighted between displacement and food insecurity?

The report highlighted a high correlation between displacement and acute food insecurity, with 90 million forcibly displaced people in the 59 countries analyzed.

Which country faced one of the worst food crises in the world?

Sudan faced one of the worst food crises in the world, with almost a third of its population in need of emergency food aid.

What was the impact of economic shocks on the food crisis?

Economic shocks were the third main driver of the food crisis, affecting populations in at least 21 countries.

What was the total population analyzed in the 2023 Global Report on Food Crisis?

The report analyzed a population of 1.3 billion people across 59 countries.

How did the number of people facing acute food insecurity in 2023 compare to 2022?

The number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity increased by 24 million in 2023 compared to 2022, despite a marginally lower percentage of the analyzed population being affected.

Who were the most affected by the hunger crisis in 2023?

Children and women were the most affected by the hunger crisis, with over 36 million children under five acutely malnourished across 32 countries.