The World Food Program (WFP) has reported that every 10th person worldwide is suffering from food shortages, with over 700 million people uncertain about their food supply and forced to sleep hungry. The global hunger crisis is causing an increase in demand for food and a decrease in wealth. WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain stated that due to lack of funds, the agency has had to cut rations provided to millions of people, with further cuts expected in the future.
The agency estimates that 47 million people in over 50 countries are one step away from famine, with 45 million children under 5 suffering from acute malnutrition. Over 345 million people are facing widespread food insecurity this year, 20 crore more than in 2021. The root cause of this problem is a combination of economic shocks, climate change, and rising fertilizer prices. The Coronavirus epidemic and the Ukraine war have also increased food item prices globally.
The rise in fertilizer prices has led to a decline in crop production, deepening the food crisis. McCain called on businessmen attending the UN Security Council meeting to focus on public and private partnerships for human welfare. In 2022, the UN reported that 73 crore people were forced to sleep without eating every day, with 8.2% not getting enough food in 2019 and 9.2% in 2022. India ranks 107th out of 121 countries in the Global Hunger Index in 2022.
