The Global Report on Food Crises released by the United Nations has revealed a staggering statistic – nearly 282 million people in 59 countries suffered from acute hunger in 2023. Among these countries, war-torn Gaza emerged as the territory with the largest number of people facing famine.
The report highlighted a sharp deterioration in food security, especially in the Gaza Strip and Sudan, with 24 million more people facing an acute lack of food compared to the previous year. Máximo Torero, chief economist for the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization, noted that 705,000 people in five countries are at Phase 5, the highest level of hunger, marking the highest number since the report began in 2016.
Looking ahead, the report projected that around 1.1 million people in Gaza and 79,000 in South Sudan are expected to be in Phase 5 and facing famine by July. Additionally, the impact of the El Nino phenomenon in early 2024 is likely to exacerbate food insecurity in parts of East Africa and Southern Africa.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the report as a “roll call of human failings,” emphasizing the urgent need for a response to address the underlying causes of acute hunger and malnutrition. The report also highlighted the insufficient funding to meet the growing needs, stressing the importance of both funding and access to tackle acute food insecurity.
The report, a collaboration of 16 partners including U.N. agencies and other organizations, serves as a wake-up call to the global community to take action and prevent further suffering from hunger and famine.