Battle against hunger stalls

Global hunger remains a severe crisis, with little progress made in recent years. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) has only fallen by 0.7 points since 2016, now standing at 18.3. Meanwhile, the number of people facing acute hunger has doubled in just one year, reaching around 2 million in 2024.

The latest report highlights stark regional differences. Latin America and Southeast Asia have seen moderate improvements since 2016. However, South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa continue to struggle with the worst hunger levels worldwide.

Conflicts and wars remain the leading cause of hunger, triggering 20 acute crises last year alone. These crises affected nearly 140 million people, with Gaza and Sudan among the hardest-hit areas. Climate change and economic instability also worsen the situation, making it harder for vulnerable populations to access food. In Sierra Leone, targeted efforts have made a difference. President Julius Maada Bio introduced land reforms in 2022, giving women the right to own land and reserving 30% of seats in agricultural committees for them. Alongside school feeding programmes, better irrigation, improved seeds, and advisory services, these changes have helped reduce hunger in the country. Despite these successes, the global picture remains grim. A healthy diet is out of reach for 2.6 billion people, while 673 million—8% of the world’s population—still suffer from hunger. Experts stress that ending violent conflicts is crucial to breaking the cycle of hunger and instability. Germany has been urged to take action by investing in resilient food systems, increasing political engagement, and addressing the link between hunger and conflict.

The report underscores the need for urgent measures to tackle hunger. Without stronger efforts to resolve conflicts and build sustainable food systems, millions will continue to face severe food shortages. Current trends show that progress is too slow to meet global targets for reducing hunger.