According to a United Nations report in July 2024, an estimated 733 million people around the world faced hunger in 2023, while an estimated 28.9 percent of the global population, or 2.33 billion people, were moderately or severely food-insecure, meaning they did not have regular access to adequate food.
Extreme hunger and malnutrition remain a barrier to sustainable development and creates a trap from which people cannot easily escape as it leads to less productive individuals who are more prone to disease and are often unable to earn more to better their lives.
Sustainable Development Goal number 2 of the UN is all about creating a world free of hunger by 2030.
It defines a world with zero hunger as a place where everyone has access to safe, nutritious, and adequate food, which positively impacts economies, health, education, equality, and social development. It is an essential piece in building a better future for everyone, since hunger limits human development and hampers the goal of achieving other sustainable development goals such as education, health, and gender equality.
The global issue of hunger and food insecurity has shown an alarming increase since 2015, a trend exacerbated by a combination of factors including the public health crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, wars and conflict, climate change, deepening inequalities, and declining food production.
When it comes to food security, it requires a multidimensional approach, from social protection to safeguarding safe and nutritious food, to transforming food systems to achieve more inclusive and sustainable food supplies.
Investment in the agriculture sector is key to reducing hunger and poverty, improving food security, employment, and building resilience to disasters. Social protection should also be prioritized so poor people can have access to food and can improve their livelihoods.
Our contributions to help reach zero hunger can range from supporting local farmers or markets, making sustainable food choices, advocating good nutrition for all, and fighting food waste. As consumers and voters, we can use our voices to demand that businesses and government make the necessary choices and changes that will help avert further hunger and food security.
It will take all sectors to pitch in if we are going to be successful in creating a world free of hunger by 2030. It is an ambitious goal, but it is something we should still be working for, even with the deadline looming.*
