Around 282 Million People Experienced Acute Hunger in 2023, UN Report Says

The latest Global Report on Food Crises from the Food Security Information Network (FSIN) has delivered a concerning reality: in 2023, almost 282 million individuals across 59 countries and territories experienced high levels of acute hunger.

This staggering figure marks a distressing surge of 24 million people compared to the previous year. Food security has sharply declined, particularly in areas like Sudan and the Gaza Strip, and this increase is attributed to the report's increased coverage of food crisis contexts in addition to a sharp deterioration in food security.

For the fourth consecutive year, nearly 22 percent of the population faced acute food insecurity, significantly surpassing pre-COVID-19 levels. Alarmingly, children and women take the strain of these crises, with over 36 million children under 5 years acutely malnourished across 32 countries. The report highlights a worsening scenario of acute malnutrition in 2023, particularly among individuals displaced due to conflict and disasters.

António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, highlights the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the need to utilize the report's data to overhaul food systems and tackle underlying causes of food insecurity and malnutrition.

Thirty-six countries have consistently featured in GRFC analyses since 2016, reflecting sustained years of acute hunger and representing 80 percent of the world's most food-insecure population. The report notes a concerning increase of 1 million people facing Emergency (IPC/CH Phase 4) levels of acute food insecurity across 39 countries and territories, with Sudan witnessing the largest surge.

In 2023, over 705,000 individuals faced catastrophe (IPC/CH Phase 5) level of food insecurity, marking the highest number in the GRFC's reporting history and a fourfold increase since 2016. The Gaza Strip, along with South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Somalia, and Mali, accounts for 80 percent of those on the brink of famine. Disturbingly, projections for 2024 indicate a further escalation, with around 1.1 million people in the Gaza Strip and 79,000 in South Sudan expected to reach Catastrophe levels by July 2024.

Growing conflict, insecurity, economic shocks, and extreme weather events continue to fuel acute food insecurity globally. These interconnected factors exacerbate food system fragility, rural marginalization, poor governance, and inequality, leading to massive population displacement.

According to the report, conflict remains the primary driver affecting 20 countries, with Sudan witnessing the largest deterioration. Extreme weather events and economic shocks also play essential roles in exacerbating food crises.

Acute food insecurity affected 72 million people in 18 countries due to extreme weather catastrophes like floods and droughts, while 75 million people in 21 countries were affected by economic shocks.

The findings of the Global Report on Food Crises underscore the urgent need for concerted global action to address the escalating threat of acute hunger and prevent further humanitarian crises. Without immediate and coordinated efforts, millions will continue to suffer the devastating consequences of food insecurity.