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The ongoing cost of living crisis and surging food prices have left Africa more vulnerable to hunger, with the 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI) warning that 582 million people are projected to remain chronically malnourished globally by 2030.
More than half of those affected would be in Africa.
The Global Hunger Index, a comprehensive tool that tracks hunger at global, regional and national levels, was released earlier this week.
According to the report, 733 million people worldwide are currently undernourished, and rising food prices, compounded by the cost of living crisis, have made a healthy diet unaffordable for 2.8 billion people.
The situation was most dire in Africa, particularly in regions south of the Sahara, as well as in South Asia, where hunger remained classified as serious.
“Progress against hunger worldwide has slowed over the past decade. In fact, if current trends continue at the pace observed since the 2016 GHI score, the world will not achieve low hunger levels until 2160—more than 130 years from now,” the report stated.
Six countries currently face alarming levels of hunger, reflecting widespread undernourishment and malnutrition. These countries include Somalia, Yemen, Chad, and Madagascar, which had the highest 2024 GHI scores, while Burundi and South Sudan are provisionally categorized as alarming.
The report recommended that governments and development partners harmonise policies across sectors and coordinate efforts between relevant ministries.
It emphasized the need for investment in food systems that can produce affordable, nutritious and climate-resilient foods.
The report also highlighted the importance of reducing women’s time poverty, improving their socioeconomic status, and increasing their agency.
Additionally, agricultural support should focus on climate mitigation and locally led, gender-transformative adaptation efforts.
The Index stressed that food and nutrition security analysis must include the perspectives and experiences of affected communities, with hunger early warning systems directly linked to prompt political action and automatic funding for relief efforts.
The report further encouraged civil society, national human rights institutions, and citizens to advocate for the right to food.
It called on the donor community to provide climate support through grants that empower vulnerable groups, especially women, youth and Indigenous peoples, to implement local climate actions.
“Within the recently created Loss and Damage Fund, a small grant window with simplified procedures should be established for these groups,” the report suggested.
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