Abstract
In 2023, 281.6 million people or 21.5 percent of the analysed population faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 59 food-crisis countries/territories.
Generated Summary
This report, published by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN) and the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC), presents an analysis of acute food insecurity and malnutrition in food-crisis countries and territories for 2023. The report highlights the drivers of food crises, including conflict, weather extremes, and economic shocks, while providing a global overview and regional spotlights on areas like Palestine (Gaza Strip) and the Sudan. The methodology involves a multi-agency process, integrating data from various sources, including the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and Cadre Harmonisé (CH), to assess the magnitude and severity of acute food insecurity, with projections for 2024. The report emphasizes the interconnectedness of food security, malnutrition, and forced displacement, using a data-driven approach to advocate for timely and effective responses to food crises. The document provides an overview of key findings, including the critical role of humanitarian aid, as well as detailed information about food inflation.
Key Findings & Statistics
- In 2023, 281.6 million people (21.5 percent of the analysed population) faced high levels of acute food insecurity across 59 food-crisis countries and territories.
- The number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity increased by 24 million compared to 2022.
- Acute food insecurity worsened in 12 countries with comparable data, with 13.5 million more people needing urgent assistance, particularly in the Sudan.
- Food security improved in 17 countries with comparable data, reducing the number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity by 7.2 million.
- Over 36 million people in 39 countries and territories faced Emergency (IPC/CH Phase 4), with over one-third in the Sudan and Afghanistan.
- Around 165.5 million people in 41 countries and territories faced Crisis (IPC/CH Phase 3).
- Around 292 million people in 40 countries faced Stressed (IPC/CH Phase 2).
- The Gaza Strip saw the highest number of people in a catastrophic food crisis in IPC and GRFC history.
- The number of forcibly displaced people reached 90 million in 59 countries and territories, the highest in eight years of GRFC reporting.
- In 2023, over 36 million children under 5 years old were acutely malnourished in 32 food-crisis countries with data, nearly 10 million of whom had severe acute malnutrition.
- Conflict/insecurity was the primary driver in 20 countries/territories, with 135 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity.
- Weather extremes were the main driver for 18 countries, affecting over 72 million people.
- Economic shocks were the primary driver in 21 countries, affecting over 75 million people.
- The El Niño event and climate change-related weather phenomena made 2023 the hottest year on record.
- By March–July 2024, over half the population of the Gaza Strip (1.1 million people) are projected to be in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5), rising to 70% in northern governorates where Famine was imminent.
- In the five countries/territories with populations projected to face Catastrophe (IPC/CH Phase 5) in 2023, about 0.7 million people, with 0.6 million in Palestine (Gaza Strip).
- The number of protracted major food crises was 19 in 2023, which accounted for up to 80 percent of the total population facing high levels of acute food insecurity.
- The 36 countries/territories with protracted food crises had a combined population facing high levels of acute food insecurity that increased from 93.4 million in 2016 to 225.2 million in 2023.
- The global prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (SDG Indicator 2.1.2) remained unchanged for the second year in a row after increasing sharply from 2019 to 2020.
- Humanitarian funding for food assistance, emergency agriculture, and nutrition in 58 food-crisis countries/territories increased by over 50 percent between 2021 and 2022, reaching a record USD 15.1 billion.
Other Important Findings
- The Gaza Strip became the most severe food crisis in IPC and GRFC history.
- The Sudan became the world’s biggest internal displacement crisis.
- Acute malnutrition among children and women continued to deteriorate, especially in conflict-affected areas.
- Conflict/insecurity was the main driver in most of the ten largest food crises (by number and/or by share).
- Food crises escalated alarmingly in conflict hotspots in 2023 – notably Palestine (Gaza Strip) and the Sudan.
- In the Gaza Strip, about 26 percent of the population were projected to be in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) between December 2023 and February 2024.
- The most severe food crises occurred in the Gaza Strip (100 percent of the population), South Sudan, Yemen, and the Syrian Arab Republic.
- The number of forcibly displaced people reached 90.2 million in 2023.
- Among the ten largest food crises by share of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity, over half were in the Syrian Arab Republic.
- The number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity is projected to decline to around 208.3 million people in 2024.
Limitations Noted in the Document
- Data gaps remain a concern with populations in 14 food-crisis countries not accounted for due to lack of data or data not meeting GRFC technical requirements.
- While food security analyses expanded coverage to an additional 177.6 million people, particularly in vulnerable areas, this remained a challenge.
- The report relies on existing data sources, such as IPC and CH analyses, which may have limitations in terms of geographical coverage, data collection frequency, or the representativeness of surveyed populations.
- The analysis does not provide a detailed analysis of structural issues, such as governance and economic factors.
- Data on acute malnutrition is limited in some countries.
- Many of the analyses are based on projections or estimates of acute food insecurity due to limitations in data availability.
- For countries with data meeting GRFC technical requirements, the peak estimates may not reflect the situation throughout the year.
- The analysis is limited by the lack of updated data for some countries/territories.
Conclusion
The Global Report on Food Crises 2024 paints a grim picture, with the convergence of conflict, climate change, and economic shocks leading to a dramatic rise in acute food insecurity worldwide. The situation is most dire in conflict zones like the Gaza Strip and the Sudan, where humanitarian access is severely restricted, and Famine is imminent. The report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of food crises. Investing in economic stability, building climate resilience, and preventing conflict is vital, along with increased funding for sustainable development and humanitarian operations. The authors highlight the need for stronger data collection, to better understand and address the specific needs of displaced populations and those in hard-to-reach areas. The report emphasizes the need for commitment and concerted action to create a world where hunger has no home. The alarming trend of decreasing humanitarian funding amid rising costs, underscores that humanity must do better and work together to provide support to the populations most affected by the food crises.