UN Report: 132 Million Facing Hunger Worldwide Due To COVID-19 In 2020
COVID-19 is worsening the food security of as many as 132 million in the world, says UN
While countries battle with the rapid spread of Coronavirus, a related issue has now been highlighted by the United Nations.
As per a new report by UN, the COVID-19 pandemic could result in as much as 132 million people experiencing food shortage and hunger by the end of 2020.
Reuters
A new report by UNICEF, WHO and other UN agencies titled ¡®The State Of Food Security And Nutrition In The World¡¯ warns of the impending world hunger disaster fuelled by COVID-19.
As mentioned in the report, ¡°the COVID-19 pandemic is intensifying the vulnerabilities and inadequacies of global food systems."
"While it is too early to assess the full impact of the lockdowns and other containment measures, at least another 83 million people, and possibly as many as 132 million, may go hungry in 2020," the report mentions.
(Representative Image: Reuters)
The rise in world hunger is being experienced after a steady decline for years. ¡°After steadily diminishing for decades, chronic hunger slowly began to rise in 2014 and continues to do so,¡± says the report. The coronavirus pandemic has only made it worse.
Reason for chronic world hunger
There is an underlying reason for the chronic hunger being spread in many parts of the world. The cost of a healthy diet far exceeds the international poverty threshold. The international poverty threshold is currently set at US$ 1.90 (Rs 143) per day.
Through its findings, the report ¡°puts the price of even the least expensive healthy diet at five times the price of filling stomachs with starch only.¡±
COVID-19 impact
(Representative Image: Reuters)
Since the number of those infected by COVID-19 is still on the rise, ¡°it is too soon to assess the full impact of the lockdowns and other containment measures¡± on the world hunger.
The report, however, estimates that a minimum of another 83 million people might go hungry in 2020 as a direct result of the pandemic. This puts the count to ¡°possibly as many as 132 million¡± around the globe.
With such gigantic number of people around the globe being predicted to go hungry this year due to the COVID-19, the setback raises further doubt on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2, that aims at eradicating world hunger by 2030.
