Global Hunger Declines, But Africa Faces Rising Crisis — The Fight for Food Security Intensifies
The latest United Nations report on global food security reveals a mixed picture: worldwide hunger has slightly decreased in 2024, yet hunger and malnutrition continue to worsen across much of Africa and parts of Western Asia.
According to the 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition (SOFI) report, about 673 million people worldwide suffer from acute hunger, a small drop from recent years but still far above pre-pandemic levels. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted progress in reducing hunger, and the world is still struggling to get back on track.
Africa bears the brunt of the crisis, withnearly 307 million people almost one in five going hungry on the continent. Conflicts, climate change, and rising food prices have made the situation especially dire.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed stressed the urgency at the report launch in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia:
“Despite a small global decline, hunger in Africa continues to worsen, with millions of families skipping meals or selling assets just to survive.”
Women and children are especially affected. Anemia has increased among women of reproductive age, and one-third of children aged 6 to 23 months lack proper nutrition during crucial brain development stages.
One of the biggest challenges is food price inflation, which has outpaced general inflation in poorer countries since 2020. The report points to a “perfect storm” of problems: war in Ukraine disrupting supply, extreme weather events damaging crops, and a strong US dollar making imports more costly.
Examples of price spikes include:
• Olive oil rising 50% after droughts in Spain and Italy
• Cocoa prices tripling after heatwaves in Ghana and Ivory Coast
• Maize up 36% in South Africa
• Coffee prices soaring in Brazil due to drought
These shocks reveal the vulnerability of global food systems to environmental changes.
Many people cannot afford a healthy diet. While starchy staples and fats remain the cheapest calories, nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and animal products are much more expensive. Ultra-processed foods often high in unhealthy fats and salts but low in nutrition, tend to be the most affordable option, making it harder to eat healthily.
In Gaza, the hunger crisis is reaching catastrophic levels. Nearly one in five children under five in Gaza City is severely malnourished, with recent deaths rising sharply. Aid deliveries have increased but are still far below what is needed, as war and blockades disrupt food access.
Similar challenges persist in Afghanistan, Sudan, and other conflict-affected regions, where humanitarian aid is hampered by access problems and severe funding cuts. The World Food Programme warns that millions will lose life-saving food support this year without urgent funding.
The UN report and its partners call for urgent action:
• Ensure unhindered access to deliver food aid in conflict zones
• Strengthen social protection systems to help vulnerable communities access nutritious food
• Implement food price policies to make healthy diets affordable in poorer regions
• Invest in climate-resilient agriculture and support small-scale farmers to boost local production
• Foster global cooperation to maintain transparent and stable food markets
Though the outlook is challenging, experts point to better coordination today compared to past food crises. Efforts like transparent market monitoring and more measured trade policies have helped ease some food price shocks.
UN officials emphasize that Africa is at a turning point with investment and leadership, the continent can reverse the hunger trend and build stronger, fairer food systems for all.
In short, the fight against hunger is far from over — but with bold, coordinated action, the world can still achieve the goal of Zero Hunger by 2030.