Global Food Security and Nutrition Report Reveals Alarming Trends

A staggering 733 million people faced hunger in 2023, representing one in eleven globally and one in five in Africa, according to the 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) Report. Additionally, 1.2 billion adults are projected to be obese by 2030, further highlighting the urgent need for global action.

The SOFI Report, a collaborative effort by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), and other world organisations, paints a dire picture of food security and nutrition worldwide. The report reveals that in 2023, 2.33 billion people faced moderate or severe food insecurity, with over 864 million experiencing severe food insecurity. Furthermore, more than 2.8 billion people were unable to afford a healthy diet in 2022, with 71.5 per cent in low-income countries affected.

The report also highlights progress in exclusive breastfeeding, with rates increasing to 48 per cent. However, achieving other global nutrition targets remains challenging.

The report calls on governments to increase investments in proven, sustainable, and cost-effective interventions to prevent child malnutrition, focusing on the critical first 1,000 days. It emphasizes the importance of good nutrition in early childhood, stating that it is a game changer for children and nations.

To address these pressing issues, the report urges governments to adopt fiscal and regulatory policies to promote access to nutritious, safe, affordable, and sustainable foods for children and their families. It also recommends discouraging production, marketing, and consumption of nutrient-poor and ultra-processed foods and beverages.

In conclusion, the SOFI Report underscores the need for collective action to address the pressing issues of food security and nutrition globally. It is crucial that governments, international organisations, and stakeholders work together to ensure that all individuals have access to nutritious and sustainable food sources, ultimately improving the health and well-being of children and nations worldwide.