783 million people are living in hunger. Rural communities hold the answer.
This year's State of Food Insecurity and Nutrition in Our World (SOFI) Report launched July 12, 2023 revealed that up to 783 million people throughout the world are living in hunger. While this number is relatively unchanged from last year it also means that with issues such as climate change, conflict and COVID19 we will be unlikley to meet the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger by 2030 without significant changes to our local and global food systems.
In line with this year's SOFI report findings, we at The Hunger Project know that the global food crisis demands a bold, comprehensive, locally led approach that addressed the complex issues that intersect with hunger. Things like gender equality, access to education, the digital divide, conflict and climate action in community development. Across the rural communities we work with in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America, we have seen the development of sustainable, equitable food systems - locally led systems in which every person has reliable access to nutritious food. We know that, through radical collaboration, a world without hunger is possible.
In line with this year's SOFI report findings, we at The Hunger Project know that the global food crisis demands a bold, comprehensive, locally led approach that addressed the complex issues that intersect with hunger. Things like gender equality, access to education, the digital divide, conflict and climate action in community development. Across the rural communities we work with in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America, we have seen the development of sustainable, equitable food systems - locally led systems in which every person has reliable access to nutritious food. We know that, through radical collaboration, a world without hunger is possible.
What can you do?
Communities have the answers, but they are often denied access to the resources needed to take action. Individuals and civil society organisations need to call on governments and the private sector to allocate meaningful resources to sustainable, community-led solutions.
By becoming an investor with The Hunger Project you can directly impact rural programmes which are established to move communities forward toward self-reliance.
Notable Findings from SOFI 2023
- Up to 783 million people in the world live in hunger.
- Nearly 148.1 million children under five (22.3%) are stunted due to lack of nutrition. 45 million face wasting and 37 million are overweight.
- The majority of people living iwth chronic hunger today are women, as 27.8% of adult women facing chronic food insecurity were moderately or severely food insecure compared with 25.4% of men.
Investing Rurally is Investing Globally
This year's report highlights how locally led solutions in rural areas are critical to addressing the hunger crisis globally. As Alvaro Lario, President of International Fund for Agricultural Development said during the SOFI 2023 launch session,
"Investing in rural development is key to reducing poverty and hunger in rural, urban and peri-urban areas alike."
Rapid urbanisation often leads to the neglect of rural areas, often leading to limited access to markets and services increasing the chances for food insecurity.
SOFI 2023 reaffirms the importance of local leadership, declaring that development will only be sustainable when people have the right tools and resources to lead their own development. Our programmes build a path to self-reliance by leveraging local partnerships and positioning women as change agents to enable communities to develop their own solutions to unique challenges.
This year's report highlights how locally led solutions in rural areas are critical to addressing the hunger crisis globally. As Alvaro Lario, President of International Fund for Agricultural Development said during the SOFI 2023 launch session,
"Investing in rural development is key to reducing poverty and hunger in rural, urban and peri-urban areas alike."
Rapid urbanisation often leads to the neglect of rural areas, often leading to limited access to markets and services increasing the chances for food insecurity.
SOFI 2023 reaffirms the importance of local leadership, declaring that development will only be sustainable when people have the right tools and resources to lead their own development. Our programmes build a path to self-reliance by leveraging local partnerships and positioning women as change agents to enable communities to develop their own solutions to unique challenges.
