NJ A recently released report by the United Nations (UN) has sent shockwaves across the globe, highlighting that Africa is the region with the largest percentage of its population facing hunger. The State of Food and Nutrition Security in the World 2024 report reveals a concerning trend, with Africa expected to account for 53% of the global population facing hunger by 2030. The report’s findings underscore the urgent need for increased efforts to address food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly in Southern Africa.
According to the report, the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in Africa stands at 58%, nearly double the global average. This stark disparity emphasises the need for immediate and concerted action to address the underlying causes of hunger on the continent, including conflict, climate change, economic downturns, and deep-rooted inequality.
In Southern Africa, the food insecurity crisis is particularly severe. South Africa is grappling with significant challenges related to malnutrition and food insecurity. Stats SA’s 2023 data reveals that in 2021, 15% of South African households (approximately 2.6 million) reported inadequate access to food, with a further 6% (1.1 million) experiencing severe food insecurity.
The UN report also addresses the need for innovative financing models to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition. It emphasises that countries with the highest levels of food insecurity often have the least access to financing, making it imperative to bridge this gap through international cooperation and investment.
“Estimating the gap in financing for food security and nutrition and mobilizing innovative ways of financing to bridge it must be among our top priorities,” the report states. “They are not only an investment in the future but our obligation.”
Andy Du Plessis, Managing Director of FoodForward SA, echoed the report’s urgent call to action, stressing that the world must prioritise Africa in its efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition. “While the economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic has been uneven and disproportionate, we must ensure that the financing needed to bridge the gaps in food security is not. Africa must be at the center of the UN’s efforts to address this crisis.”
As the global community grapples with the challenges of food insecurity, it is clear that a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach is needed to address the root causes and ensure that all people, especially those in Africa, have access to adequate and nutritious food
