55 Million More People Undernourished in Asia Since COVID-19 Pandemic
South Asia Most Affected, Women Face Higher Food Insecurity
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has released its latest assessment of food security in Asia, revealing that hunger remains a chronic problem in the region. According to the report, there are 55 million more people undernourished in Asia in 2022 compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. South Asia is the most affected, and women tend to be less food secure than men.
The FAO study focuses on food supply, consumption, and dietary energy needs, highlighting the state of chronic energy deprivation that hampers growth, productivity, and quality of life. While the percentage of undernourished individuals in the region decreased from 8.8% in the previous year to 8.4% in 2022, it still surpasses the pre-pandemic figure of 7.3%. The economic downturn caused by the pandemic has pushed many into hunger and jeopardized their livelihoods.
The situation is exacerbated by natural disasters and disruptions to food supplies, often linked to climate change. The FAO data indicates that nearly 30% of the region’s population faces moderate food insecurity, unsure of their ability to access sufficient food and sometimes being forced to consume less or lower-quality food due to financial constraints. In Asia and the Pacific, this figure rises above 25%.
A concerning finding is that women are disproportionately affected. In Asia, excluding East Asia, more than one in five women face moderate or severe food insecurity. Although the rates are slightly lower for men in most regions, Southern Asia displays a significant gender disparity, with over 42% of women and more than 37% of men experiencing food insecurity.
The report attributes the stagnation of progress in alleviating hunger to higher prices of food, fuel, fertilizer, and livestock feed. These factors have hindered the positive trend seen since the early 2000s. Furthermore, global disruptions to grain, edible oil, and fertilizer supplies, partly due to the war in Ukraine, have exacerbated the situation.
On a global scale, the number of people with precarious access to food has risen from just over 1.6 billion in 2015 to nearly 2.4 billion in 2022. The United Nations warns that in Africa, at least three out of every four Africans cannot afford a healthy diet due to an “unprecedented food crisis.”
In the Asia-Pacific region, which is home to more than half of the 735 million undernourished individuals worldwide, South Asia stands out with approximately 16% of its population being undernourished. However, North Korea has the highest regional share at about 45%, followed by Afghanistan at 30%.
When considering the global average, the undernourishment rate stands at 9.2%. In the Pacific islands of Oceania, excluding Australia and New Zealand, this figure is even more alarming, reaching nearly 21% or more than one in five people.
The UN report underscores the urgent need for action to address the persistent problem of hunger in Asia and the world. Efforts to improve food security, reduce gender disparities, mitigate climate change, and stabilize food prices are crucial to ensure a healthier and more prosperous future for all.