Hunger and malnutrition surging across West and Central Africa, says report

Hunger and malnutrition are becoming increasingly prevalent in West and Central Africa, with nearly 55 million people expected to struggle with food insecurity in the June-August 2024 lean season. This represents a four-million increase from the previous forecast, and a fourfold increase over the last five years. The situation is particularly dire in conflict-affected areas, such as northern Mali, where an estimated 2,600 people are likely to experience catastrophic hunger.

The main drivers of food insecurity in the region include conflict, economic challenges, and climate change. Currency devaluations, soaring inflation, and trade barriers have worsened the food crisis, affecting ordinary people across the region. Prices of major staple grains have risen significantly, driven by currency inflation, fuel and transport costs, and restrictions on agropastoral product flows.

Malnutrition is also a major concern, with 16.7 million children under five acutely malnourished, and more than two out of three households unable to afford healthy diets. High food prices, limited healthcare access, and inadequate diets are primarily driving acute malnutrition in children under five, adolescents, and pregnant women.

To address this crisis, organizations such as the UNICEF, WFP, and FAO are working together to implement sustainable solutions that bolster food security, enhance agricultural productivity, and mitigate the adverse effects of economic volatility. They are calling on national governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector to support these efforts and ensure that the fundamental human right to food is upheld for all.

https://www.wfp.org/stories/hunger-and-malnutrition-surging-across-west-and-central-africa-says-report