Current:Home > reviewsUN says Africa faces unprecedented food crisis, with 3 in 4 people unable to afford a healthy diet-VaTradeCoin
UN says Africa faces unprecedented food crisis, with 3 in 4 people unable to afford a healthy diet
lotradecoin access View Date:2024-12-25 22:40:18
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — At least three-fourths of Africans can’t afford a healthy diet, and a fifth are undernourished due to an “unprecedented food crisis,” United Nations agencies said in a report released Thursday with the African Union Commission.
The continent’s 1.4 billion people are confronting high levels of hunger and malnutrition as the hit on world grain supplies from Russia’s war in Ukraine compounds the ills of African conflicts, climate change and the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the report said.
It warned that “millions are expected to be at risk of worsening hunger in the near future.”
With a young population set to double by 2050, Africa is the only rapidly growing region where people are getting poorer, and some are beginning to celebrate coups by soldiers who promise a better life. Despite its wealth of natural resources, Africa is far from meeting its commitment to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition by 2025.
Armed violence in West and Central Africa has uprooted millions from their communities, while in East Africa climate change and extreme weather pose severe threats to farmers. Many families increasingly find it difficult to eat as incomes fail to keep pace with skyrocketing prices for food.
“The majority of Africa’s population — about 78% or more than one billion people — remain unable to afford a healthy diet, compared with 42% at the global level, and the number is rising,” said the report from the Food and Agriculture Organization, the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa, the World Food Program and the African Union Commission.
In 2022, as many as 342 million Africans were “severely food-insecure,” the report said. That represented 38% of the 735 million hungry people around the world, it said.
Among those affected the most by the food crisis in Africa are children under age 5, 30% of whom are stunted because of malnutrition, the report said.
“The deterioration of the food security situation and the lack of progress towards the WHO global nutrition targets make it imperative for countries to step up their efforts if they are to achieve a world without hunger and malnutrition by 2030,” Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO regional representative for Africa, said alongside officials from the other agencies.
The agencies noted he continent is still reeling from the impacts of COVID-19. They said 57 million more Africans have become undernourished since the start of the pandemic, bringing the total of the undernourished to nearly 282 million last year.
“After a long period of improvement between 2000 and 2010, hunger has worsened substantially and most of this deterioration occurred between 2019 and 2022” during the pandemic, the report said.
In Nigeria, which is Africa’s largest economy and a top oil producer, nearly 93% of the country’s more than 210 million people are unable to afford a healthy diet, the report said.
Such situations are leading many to question why Africa’s governments are failing to use the continent’s wealth to make life better for citizens.
While Nigeria has been battling growing hardship as a result of austerity measures introduced by the nation’s new leader, the government budgeted millions of dollars for cars and house renovations for the president and his wife — even though her office is not recognized by the country’s constitution.
“We hope the findings will trigger the momentum for agrifood systems transformation along with other systems such as education, health and energy, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all,” the U.N. agencies said.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Stock market today: Asian stocks are mixed ahead of key US inflation data
- Tennessee bill addressing fire alarms after Nashville school shooting heads to governor
- Hungary’s parliament ratifies Sweden’s NATO bid, clearing the final obstacle to membership
- What time do Michigan polls open and close for the 2024 primary? Key voting hours to know
- When does 'No Good Deed' come out? How to watch Ray Romano, Lisa Kudrow's new dark comedy
- NASCAR Atlanta race ends in wild photo finish; Daniel Suarez tops Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch
- Reddit's public Wall Street bet
- Handcuffed car theft suspect being sought after fleeing from officers, police say
- Beyoncé will perform halftime during NFL Christmas Day Game: Here's what to know
- MLB rumors: Will Snell, Chapman sign soon with Bellinger now off the market?
Ranking
- Drew Barrymore Addresses Criticism Over Her Touchiness With Talk Show Guests
- Air Force member in critical condition after setting himself on fire outside Israeli embassy in Washington
- US sues to block merger of grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, saying it could push prices higher
- Economists see brighter outlook for 2024. Here's why.
- Stock market today: Asian stocks are mixed ahead of key US inflation data
- Surge in syphilis cases drives some doctors to ration penicillin
- Amy Schumer says criticism of her rounder face led to diagnosis of Cushing syndrome
- Handcuffed car theft suspect being sought after fleeing from officers, police say
Recommendation
-
When is the 'Survivor' Season 47 finale? Here's who's left; how to watch and stream part one
-
US Rep. Andy Kim sues over what he calls New Jersey’s ‘cynically manipulated’ ballot system
-
Network founded by Koch brothers says it will stop spending on Nikki Haley's presidential campaign
-
Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry says he has late-stage stomach cancer
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Follow Your Dreams
-
NFL scouting combine 2024: How to watch workouts for NFL draft prospects
-
No retirement plan, no problem: These states set up automatic IRAs for workers
-
Economists see brighter outlook for 2024. Here's why.