A report released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) revealed that global food insecurity continues to worsen, with 258 million people in 58 countries facing acute food insecurity at crisis or worse levels in 2022, up from 193 million people in 53 countries a year earlier.
The report has been described as a “stinging indictment” of humanity’s inability to end hunger by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The number of people experiencing severe food insecurity has increased for the fourth consecutive year, according to the report.
Economic shocks, including rising food prices and market disruptions, have overtaken conflict as the main global driver of severe food insecurity and malnutrition, the FAO said. Extreme weather is also a significant contributor to global food insecurity.
Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East are among the worst-hit regions, with more than 40 percent of the global population suffering from significant food insecurity in just five countries: Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Yemen.
Seven countries have populations experiencing the most severe level of food insecurity, including Somalia, Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Yemen. Haiti is on the list for the first time, the FAO said.