Global hunger crisis and high Debt

According to the special report by the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food), at least 21 countries — including Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Haiti, Lebanon, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Zimbabwe were nearing catastrophic levels of both debt distress and rising hunger in 2022.

Key Points of the report:

• Global public debt was at its highest levels in almost 60 years and countries had to choose between repaying debts and feeding people.
• About 60 per cent of low-income countries and 30 per cent of middle-income countries were considered at high risk of (or already in) debt distress. 
• The world’s poorest countries saw the costs of servicing their debt increase by 35 per cent in 2022.
• Africa’s food import dependency has tripled in recent decades, leaving countries exposed to food price spikes like in 2022.
• The report called for urgent action to provide debt relief and development finance on a scale to meet the needs of COVID-19 recovery, climate-resilient food systems and sustainable development goals.

India’s Hunger problem:

• India has long been home to the largest number of malnourished children in the world.
• The highest levels of stunted and underweight children are found in Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Some progress has been made in reducing the extent of malnutrition.
• United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) paints a picture of hunger and malnutrition amongst children in large pockets of India.
• The report shows the poorest sections of society caught in a trap of poverty and malnutrition, which is being passed on from generation to generation.

Reasons for increasing global hunger and related debt:

• Due disruptions in Global supply chains and Inflation
• Lack of Job Opportunities
• Poverty
• Population Explosion
• Lack of estimated targets for schemes including Children and Women.
• Other reasons being reduced soil fertility, fragmented lands or fluctuating market price of farm produce etc.

Initiatives to Eradicate Hunger/Malnutrition:

• POSHAN Abhiyan
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
• Food Fortification
• National Food Security Act, 2013
• Mission Indradhanush
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme
• Eat Right India Movement