Conflict, climate change and inequality all play a role, but there are other reasons for what is rather dryly called “food insecurity”.
Ahead of World Food Day on October 16, here are five things you need to know about why even though there is enough food to feed a global population of more than eight billion, people still go hungry.
1. Conflict and political instability
Armed conflicts, such as those in Ukraine, Sudan and Gaza, disrupt food production, supply chains and access to markets. This leads to the displacement of people, creating acute food insecurity for millions.
In HaitiAn estimated 5.7 million people – about half the population – many of whom have fled their homes due to violence, face a deteriorating food security situation – and 1.9 million people are at emergency level.
WFP distributes food to residents of gang-affected Cité Soleil in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince.
In conflict zones, the UN, mainly through the World Food Program (PAM) provides immediate food aid to populations facing acute food insecurity.
Affected communities also receive seeds, livestock and agricultural tools so they can grow their own food and not have to rely on aid.
2. Climate change and extreme weather
Increasing climate variability, including droughts, floods and heatwaves, is disrupting farmers’ ability to produce food. This compromises agricultural productivity and food availability, particularly in vulnerable regions.
Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria and Ethiopia all face acute food insecurity caused by a combination of conflict, drought, floods and desertification.
Somalia, for example, is experiencing its worst drought in four decades, worsening years of conflict and displacement.
A boy rolls a water container in Dollow, on Somalia’s border with Ethiopia.
The UN promotes climate-resilient agricultural practices to mitigate the impact of environmental shocks and adapt to new weather norms, e.g. the half-moon agricultural technique in the Sahel region of Africa.
3. Economic shocks and inflation
Global and regional economic downturns, rising food and energy prices, and inflation have combined to reduce purchasing power and access to nutritious foods, particularly in low-income countries.
THE COVID-19 The pandemic, the war in Ukraine and climate shocks have all contributed to soaring food prices between 2020 and 2024.
As food prices rose, real wages fell, and inflation took hold, people – particularly in low-income countries – were less able to afford nutritious foods and often ate fewer meals per day.
A two-year-old girl eats a nutritional supplement at a health center in Maiduguri, northern Nigeria.
During periods of economic shocks and inflation, the United Nations scales up the distribution of food rations and nutritional supplements and provides cash transfers to help families buy food locally, supporting both nutrition and local markets.
4. Structural poverty and inequality
Deep-rooted poverty and social inequality limit access to food and resources, particularly in rural and marginalized communities, perpetuating chronic hunger.
Low incomes, poor infrastructure and local services often mean that marginalized people (and particularly women and indigenous groups) do not have enough to eat.
Nearly 700 million people live in extreme poverty worldwide, two-thirds of whom reside in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the UN.
The UN, through various agencies, seeks to strengthen social protection systems and move away from crisis-focused humanitarian aid to a model in which low-income countries lead the development of resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems.
This approach enables communities to reduce hunger, build local capacity and improve long-term food security.
5. Business disruptions and market volatility
Export restrictions, tariffs and volatile commodity prices can destabilize food markets, making food less affordable and less accessible in food-deficit countries.
In Bangladesh, farmers are growing more climate-resilient crops.
Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka all struggle with volatile food prices and debt problems. These problems are compounded by trade policy uncertainty, particularly global tariffs and inflation.
This ultimately limits people’s access to affordable food.
Hunger map: Hunger Map 2025 | FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Both Brazil and Mexico have seen downward revisions to growth due to trade tensions and inflation. This has weakened consumer spending and increased food insecurity among low-income communities.
The UN is working in several ways to support affected countries.
It monitors global prices, provides policy guidance and coordinates international responses to help countries address the interrelated food, energy and financial crises. These efforts aim to stabilize markets and protect vulnerable people.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
