Food insecurity on the rise by 2024: more than 340 million people affected

Acute food insecurity remains one of the world’s greatest humanitarian crises. Figures from the World Food Program (WFP) reveal that hundreds of millions of people are currently affected by this problem.
WFP studies reveal that violence against humanitarian workers, climate change and political conflicts further complicate the picture.
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More than 340 million people affected
The number of acutely food insecure people around the world has reached alarming levels. According to the World Food Program (WFP), by 2024 this crisis has already affected 343 million people in 74 countries, an increase of 10 % compared to the previous year. These figures are just shy of the records recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to WFP, 1.9 million of those affected are on the brink of famine in hotspots such as Gaza, Sudan, Haiti and South Sudan.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, the outlook is also challenging. According to WFP’s most recent report, the number of food insecure people in the region stands at 40.8 million, of whom 14.2 million are in need of urgent assistance.
WFP estimates that it needs US$16.9 billion to be able to help 123 million of the most vulnerable people by 2025, an amount equivalent to the world’s expenditure on coffee in just two weeks. These figures reflect the magnitude of the problem and the inadequacy of current efforts to address it.

How is food security faring in Colombia?
A WFP report reveals that in 2023 the number of Colombians in moderate or severe food insecurity decreased from 15 to 13 million, thanks to economic improvements and collective strategies. However, half of the households are still vulnerable to climatic and economic risks, such as food price variations and extreme weather phenomena.
According to data from the organization, 43% of families faced difficulties in accessing food in the last six months, forcing them to resort to measures such as reducing meals, spending savings or acquiring debts. Rural areas show greater food insecurity (31%) than urban areas (24%), although the latter are more affected due to their high population density.
The armed conflict also plays a role, affecting 11% of the households surveyed. WFP data reveal that the problem of food insecurity is most severe in La Guajira, affecting more than half of the population (59 %).

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Climate change exacerbates acute food insecurity
Climate change exacerbates acute food insecurity, which can affect crops, water resources and vulnerable economies. At the recent COP29, rich countries proposed to provide $250 billion annually to help developing nations cope with the consequences of global warming. Although this commitment seeks to mitigate the effects of climate change, civil society organizations consider it to be insufficient and lack clarity on how the funds will be raised.

“It is an insult that we are trading lives while millions of people go hungry,” commented Namrata Chowdhary of 350.org. The lack of concrete action not only delays the energy transition, but also perpetuates acute food insecurity in the most affected regions.
However, acute food insecurity cannot be ignored. The resources available to address it are insufficient, and international policies urgently need to be reoriented towards sustainable and equitable solutions.
Violence against humanitarian workers, lack of climate finance and measures that prioritize control over social justice are signs of a global system that requires profound changes. It is important that there is a concerted effort and real commitments to ensure a future in which no one suffers from extreme hunger.
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