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Context:

• As per the 2024 Global Report on Food Crisis (GRFC) Nearly 282 million people faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 59 countries in 2023, with extreme weather being the second most significant factor driving the food crisis.

Main findings of the report:

• The magnitude of Food Insecurity: Nearly 282 million people in 59 countries faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2023, with about 22% of the analyzed population affected.

• Displacement and Insecurity: The number of forcibly displaced people reached 90 million, with Sudan becoming the world's biggest internal displacement crisis. The Gaza Strip saw almost 80% of its population internally displaced.
• Famine Situations: North Gaza faced an imminent risk of famine between March and May 2024, with half of its population experiencing catastrophic acute food insecurity.
• Economic Impact: Economic shocks, especially in low-income and import-dependent countries, led to acute food insecurity for over 75 million people.
• Improvements and Challenges: While food security improved in 17 countries, 12 countries saw deterioration, particularly in Sudan, with 13.5 million more people in need of urgent assistance.

Drivers of Food Crisis:

• Conflict and insecurity: the primary drivers in 20 countries, affecting 135 million people,
• Extreme weather events: affected 72 million people in 18 countries.
• Economic shocks: significant in 21 countries, impacting over 75 million people.

Regional Hotspots:

• The conflict intensified in places like Palestine (Gaza Strip) and Sudan, with Sudan facing one of the worst food crises globally.
• Southeastern Sudan, a key agricultural region, has been particularly affected.
• On Sudan, the UN report noted that 20.3 million people – or 42 per cent of the population – struggled to find enough to eat last year, after conflict erupted in April.
• The report also warned that people in South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Somalia and Mali likely endured the worst levels of food insecurity in 2023.

2024 Global Report on Food Crisis (GRFC):

• This eighth edition of the report, produced annually by the Food Security Information Network
• The report is produced annually.
• It is published by the Food Security Information Network and launched by the Global Network Against Food Crises, involving various stakeholders like UN agencies, the EU, USAID, and NGOs.

Food Security

Food security is defined by the World Food Summit of 1996: “When all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active, and healthy life”.

It includes the following dimensions:

1. Availability: This refers to the presence of food within a country, including food produced domestically, imports, and stock stored in government granaries.
2. Accessibility: Accessibility ensures that food is within reach of every individual without discrimination, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to obtain the food they need.
3. Affordability: Affordability means having enough financial resources to purchase sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet one's dietary requirements. It ensures that individuals can afford to buy the food they need to maintain their health and well-being.

Read all the details about Rwandan genocide  in:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/rwandan-genocide

Source

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/food/global-food-crisis-1-in-5-people-in-need-of-urgent-action-95773

PRACTICE QUESTION Q) Discuss the main findings and drivers of the 2024 Global Report on Food Crisis (GRFC) and analyze their implications on regional hotspots and food security dimensions, with a focus on availability, accessibility, and affordability. ( 250 words)