World Hunger Day is annually observed across the globe on 28th May to raise awareness about the condition of millions of people, who do not have access to proper food.
- The day aims to unite the global community to amplify the voices of those facing hunger and to end world hunger.
Theme:
The 2024 campaign theme of World Hunger Day is, “Thriving Mothers. Thriving World.”
Note: The 2024 campaign aims to raise awareness and support communities in combating malnutrition.
Background:
i.World Hunger Day was founded by The Hunger Project United Kingdom (UK) in 2011 to highlight the global food crisis.
- The Hunger Project (THP) is a non-profit, strategic organisation committed to the sustainable end of world hunger.
ii.The 1st ever World Hunger Day was observed on 28th May 2011.
Note: THP runs programs across 12 countries in Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.
Significance of 2024 observance:
i.With the rising cost of living, conflict, and climate change, malnutrition is increasing, especially for women and girls.
ii.Over 1 billion adolescent girls and women suffer from malnutrition; 42% of people globally cannot afford a healthy diet.
iii.Malnourished mothers often give birth to malnourished babies, leading to irreversible brain development issues and a cycle of chronic hunger.
iv.Investing in the nutrition of mothers and children can end this cycle, creating a thriving world.
Key Facts:
According to the 2023 edition of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN):
i.Between 691 and 783 million people faced hunger in 2022. This marks an increase of 122 million people since 2019.
ii.Food Insecurity: 2.4 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity and 900 million people faced severe food insecurity.
iii.Diet and Nutrition: Over 3.1 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet. Many children under 5 suffer from malnutrition.
The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2024:
The GRFC 2024 report, Published by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN), highlights the significant challenge of ending hunger by 2030. According to the report:
i.In 2023, 281.6 million people (21.5% of the analysed population) in 59 countries/territories faced high levels of acute food insecurity.
ii.This represents an increase of 24 million people since 2022, due to expanded analysis coverage and worsening conditions in some areas.
iii.There were over 36 million acutely malnourished children under age 5 across 32 countries.
- Overall, 1 in 5 people assessed in need of critical urgent action.
iv.In 2023, conflict and insecurity became the primary drivers of food crises in 20 countries, affecting 135 million people directly.
v.Weather extremes were the main driver in 18 countries, affecting over 72 million people.
- The El Niño event and climate change made 2023 the hottest year on record.
Note: The El Niño conditions prevailing over the equatorial Pacific, caused warmer temperatures globally, including in India.
Global Hunger Index(GHI):
According to Global Hunger Index(GHI) 2023, India was ranked 111th out of the 125 countries with a score of 28.7.
20 countries with 2023 GHI scores of less than 5 are not assigned individual ranks, They are collectively ranked 1–20. These 20 countries are:
Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Chile, China, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates(UAE), and Uruguay
About The Hunger Project (THP):
Chair– Sheree S. Stomberg
Headquarters– New York, the United States of America (USA)
Founded in 1977
