The Global Report on Food Crises for 2023 states that nearly 282 million people in 59 countries suffered from acute hunger, a sharp increase from the previous year. The highest number of people facing famine was found in Gaza, with over 577,000 individuals on the brink of starvation. This increase in food insecurity was attributed to conflicts in the Gaza Strip and Sudan, with 24 million more people affected compared to 2022. The report also highlighted that 705,000 people in five countries were at Phase 5, the highest level of hunger, quadrupling since the report began in 2016.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the report a “roll call of human failings,” noting that conflicts over the past year have compounded the dire global situation. The conflicts in Gaza and Sudan were highlighted as particularly impactful on hunger and nutrition, with the world’s largest internal displacement crisis currently unfolding in Sudan. Over 36 million people in 39 countries are facing acute hunger emergencies, with more than a third of them in Sudan and Afghanistan. The report also pointed out that since 2016, the numbers of people acutely food insecure have more than doubled, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report emphasized the urgent need for a response that addresses the underlying causes of acute hunger and malnutrition, while also transforming the food supply systems. UN World Food Program’s chief economist, Arif Husain, stressed that funding and access are essential in tackling acute food insecurity, and must work hand-in-hand. The funding for addressing food crises is not keeping pace with the needs identified in the report, highlighting a critical gap in resources necessary to combat global hunger. The report also targets obtaining data from 73 countries to better address the issue of acute food insecurity and reach a wider population in need.
The report identified the El Nino phenomenon as a factor impacting food security in various regions, including flooding and drought in parts of east and southern Africa. The conflict in the Gaza Strip, which has been ongoing for seven months, continues to contribute to the dire food insecurity situation in the region. The report projected that around 1.1 million people in Gaza and 79,000 in South Sudan will be facing famine by July, underscoring the urgency of the situation. The conflicts in Haiti, where gangs control parts of the capital, were also noted as contributing to food insecurity in the region.
Overall, the Global Report on Food Crises for 2023 painted a grim picture of the state of food security around the world. With a significant increase in the number of people facing acute hunger compared to the previous year, urgent action is needed to address the root causes of food insecurity and provide necessary resources to combat the crisis. The report serves as a call to action for international organizations, governments, and communities to come together to address this global challenge and work towards a future where food security is a reality for all.
