The Central African Republic with a population of 4.6 million people which is almost equivalent to that of Ireland has the highest hunger levels out 119 countries that were measured for the 2017 Global Hunger Index (GHI). According to the report, the conflict ridden African country has nearly half of its population experiencing malnourishment and is the only country that the GHI ranks in the category of “extremely alarming” a characterisation no other country has been described as since 2014.
20 million people at risk of starvation
A further 51 nations were ranked as either having serious or alarming hunger conditions according to the study released by Concern Worldwide and several other aid agencies and policy think tanks. The results of the study were revealed during a year when famine cast a shadow over four countries where starvation threatens as many as 20 million people. Unfortunately, researchers were unable to obtain data from 13 countries which has meant they have not been included as part of the GHI despite experts being extremely worried about at least nine of them.
War prevents research on hunger
No data exists on war-torn South Sudan which the UN officially declared as being in a state of famine back in February. Somalia is another country with insufficient data that is at risk of famine. The main reason why data could not be collected in some countries is due to ongoing conflict. The report warns that despite the fact global hunger has fallen by 27 per cent over the last decade and a half, the UN is unlikely to meet the target it set back in 2015 of eradicating hunger by 2030.
We have the resources and technology to deal with the problem
Dominic MacSorely Chief Executive of Concern Worldwide said it was shameful that large parts of the world were falling ever deeper into a state of perpetual food crisis despite wealthy countries having the resources and technology to deal with the problem. Recently the UN’s Food and Agriculture organisation revealed that the number of undernourished people in 2016 was 815 million people, representing an increase of 38 million people. This year’s GHI suggests that there has been a small fall in the number of children suffering from hunger.
Millions of children suffering
Approximately 52 million children aged under five are believed to have extremely low weight for their height and a further 155 million children have stunted growth or have low height for their age as a result of hunger. It is estimated that roughly 45 per cent of deaths of children under the age of five are the result of undernutrition. Rather unsurprisingly the report suggests that the groups most vulnerable to poverty or hunger have the least social, economic and political power.
Governments need to invest more
The authors of the GHI are urging governments to invest more in attempting to achieve the UN’s sustainable development goal of no hunger by 2030. They want increased support for small farmers and to include them in policy debates so that fairer standards in business and trade are adopted.
