Food shortages are a global issue that affects millions. The latest Global Report on Food Crisis points to approximately 282 million people in 59 countries who experienced high levels of extreme hunger in 2023, a sharp increase of 24 million from the previous year. These numbers are startling, given that though environmental factors have played a significant role, much of this pressing problem has directly resulted from political instability and economic challenges. As the population grows and resources become scarce, these shortages will be more acute.
Let us understand these food shortages, the factors causing them worldwide, and what measures have been taken to curb them.
Countries Facing Food Shortages
While more than a quarter of a billion people worldwide face acute levels of hunger, food shortages are limited to 59 countries. The countries and territories facing the highest levels of food scarcity are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Sudan, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Yemen, the Syrian Arab Republic, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Myanmar. People in the Palestine-Gaza Strip (576.6 m), South Sudan (43 m), Burkina Faso (42.7 m), Somalia (40.4 m), and Mali (2.5 m) are projected to face catastrophic levels of hunger. They may face starvation, death, and poverty due to their households lacking food or other basic needs.
Children Facing Severe Malnutrition
Children are facing the worst brunt of these food shortages. Out of 36.4 million children experiencing acute malnutrition, 26.6 million children suffer moderate acute malnutrition, while 9.8 million children suffer severe acute malnutrition. The countries with the highest number of children under five years of age with acute malnutrition are Nigeria, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, Niger, Somalia, Chad, and South Sudan.
Migration, Refugees, And Asylum Seekers
Political conflicts, extreme environmental catastrophes, and economic hardships are causing people to flee their homes and seek refuge and asylum in other territories or countries. In 2023, 10.1 million people were forced to leave their homes in 13 food-crisis countries, including Sudan, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Yemen, 8.9 million of whom were IDPs and 1.2 million refugees and asylum-seekers.
Extreme Weather Conditions Leading To Food Crisis
Extreme weather conditions, including increasing temperatures, sustained drought in Somalia and South Sudan, erratic rainfall followed by devastating floods in Ethiopia and Pakistan, tropical storms and cyclones, and pests, disrupt agricultural production worldwide. Eighty percent of the world population is at risk from crop failures and hunger owing to extreme weather conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, where farming families are poor and utterly dependent on rain-fed agriculture for their food needs. Food And Agriculture Organization (FAO) says that between 2008 and 2018, climate-related disasters cost developing countries over $108 billion in damaged or lost crops. The worst affected regions were Asia, with economic losses of up to $49 billion; Africa ($30 billion); and Latin America and the Caribbean ($29 billion). With climate change intensifying, the world will face more food shortages due to reduced agricultural yields.
Wars And Conflicts Leading To Food Scarcity
Conflicts are the #1 driver of hunger in the world. Wars disrupt food production and distribution networks, making it difficult for people in war-torn countries to access supplies. According to UNICEF, in 2021, political conflicts were the main driver in 24 countries, with 139 million people facing acute food shortages, as these conflicts have destroyed agricultural infrastructure, displaced people, and made it difficult for food and medical supplies to reach them. Furthermore, the food crisis has been exacerbated by the ongoing Ukraine-Russia War. Ukraine, one of the main breadbaskets of the world, has suffered a loss of $40.2 billion in its agricultural sector as Russia regularly targets its grain production and export capabilities. Furthermore, Russia is accused of stealing nearly 6 MMT of wheat from occupied territories of Ukraine in 2023.
Economic Volatility Leading To Food Unavailability
According to the World Food Program USA, economic volatility, such as recessions, inflation, high debt levels, and currency devaluations, has driven 10.2 million people to acute hunger. Economic volatility leads to higher unemployment, declining wages, and lower incomes, severely affecting food availability and affordability. The major factors leading to financial instability were the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and Venezuela’s economic collapse.
COVID-19 Pandemic And Global Hunger
The COVID-19 pandemic led to lockdowns, travel restrictions, food production and distribution disruptions, job losses, and food insecurity in low-income countries like India, Bolivia, Brazil, Bangladesh, and Africa. In 2021, the United Nations reported that the number of undernourished people rose to approximately 768 million in 2020, up by 118 million compared to 2019.
Population Growth And Food Demand
The world’s population is expected to touch 9.1 billion by 2050, leading to a higher demand for food. Food production would need to be raised by 70% to feed the global population. With climate changes, limited agricultural land, high costs and shortages of fertilizers, and limited water resources, meeting this demand poses serious challenges.
The Importance Of Global Cooperation
Food shortages are often the result of global factors such as climate change, political conflicts, and economic trends; hence, collaborative and coordinated efforts by governments, financial institutions, and public and private sector partners can only help curb them.
- The World Bank has funded and launched several food security, food systems resilience, and irrigation projects in Eastern and Southern Africa, Honduras, Tajikistan, Jordan, Bolivia, and Yemen.
- In 2023, several countries contributed US$8.3 billion to the World Food Programme (WFP), providing food assistance to 100 million people in over 80 countries annually.
- The G7 Presidency and the World Bank Group have launched the Global Alliance for Food Security to tackle the global hunger crisis.
- In 2021, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a $5 billion investment in the Feed the Future program over the next five years. The program will provide food assistance, clean water, and medical supplies to several countries.
Strategies And Solutions
The United Nations’ goal of creating a world free of hunger by 2030 seems unattainable due to the consequences of the pandemic, the Ukraine war, climatic shocks, and persisting political conflicts.
Fighting food shortages require a combination of short-term solutions, such as humanitarian aid in the form of food supplies and emergency relief, and long-term solutions, such as investing in agricultural infrastructure, promoting sustainable farming practices, improving food storage and distribution networks, diversifying food sources, and enhancing local food production.
Technology—Advancements and innovations in technology
This can help combat food shortages. Precision agriculture, vertical farming, GMO crops, drought-resistant crops, and improved irrigation systems can mitigate the effects of food shortages. Digital platforms to connect farmers to markets can reduce waste and improve food distribution.
Education and Awareness
This helps farmers and communities with the knowledge and skills to adapt to changing conditions and to build resilience to food shortages. Furthermore, educating people about sustainable food practices, the importance of consuming locally produced and locally sourced foods, and the importance of reducing food waste is crucial. A ‘Save Your Food’ campaign launched in Turkey in 2019 until 2023 helped tremendously minimize food loss and wastage. Many such campaigns and interventions worldwide have shown positive results.
Curbing Food Wastage
14% of the global food production valued at US$400 billion is lost annually between harvest and retail market. In comparison, 17% of the food is wasted at the retail and consumer levels. In high-income countries, 40% of food is wasted because people buy more than they can consume. If all the food wasted or lost is recovered, we can feed every hungry person in the world twice. Establishing modern storage equipment and better supply chain networks, spreading awareness and education, and undertaking training can help reduce food losses.