Five facts you might not know about the world food crisi

Right now, millions of families around the world are facing a food crisis that could be worse than any we’ve ever lived through. An increase of devastating climate catastrophes, the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as rising food and fuel costs caused by the conflict in Ukraine, have intensified underlying inequalities.

It’s a lot to take in, so here are five simple facts to help you understand the world food crisis.

1. Extreme hunger is on the rise

Even before the pandemic struck, in 2019, close to 750 million people were exposed to severe levels of food insecurity. Now, exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine, as many as 811 million people around the world are facing extreme hunger – that’s an increase of roughly 60 million people in just three years.

2. Children suffer the most

In 2020, around the world, 149 million children under five were affected by stunting (being too short for their age) and 45 million children were affected by wasting (being too thin for their height) – conditions caused by malnutrition, untreated infections and inadequate mother-and-baby healthcare support.

3. Our global food system is broken

Big food companies are growing and sharing food in ways that harm the planet and make it hard for people around the world to have enough food to eat. Simply put, there’s enough food in the world to feed everyone but it isn’t shared equally. That’s why nearly 10 per cent of the world’s population go hungry.

4. Families across East Africa are preparing to face the worst drought in over 40 years

In Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan, up to 20 million people are fighting for their very survival.

Isacko Jirma, an aid expert who lives and works in Marsabit, Kenya, told us: “We need more support to bring water and food to these communities that are really suffering. We need to feed these hungry people and quench their thirst. We need resources to reach out to these communities to save their lives.”

5. You can help put an end to the food crisis

Together, we can reach out with love to help our sisters and brothers around the world who are facing extreme hunger through no fault of their own.

With your support families can build resilience in the face of extreme hunger, with tools, training and climate-resistant seeds to help with sustainable farming, emergency food, water, shelter, and so much more.

Because no one is beyond the reach of the love they need to flourish.

Three ways you can help

This crisis is severe – and it is going to take commitment and dedication to help as many people affected as possible, and to keep supporting them as they recover and rebuild.