STATEMENT: RESPONSE TO 2019 UN FOOD SECURITY REPORT

For the fourth consecutive year, global food insecurity has increased. This is according to The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, the UN's flagship report jointly prepared by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO.  

Responding to the report's findings, Jean-Michel Grand, Executive Director of Action Against Hunger UK said:

“The fact that food insecurity has risen for a fourth consecutive year should set alarm bells ringing. It is a clear signal that more investment is needed and that hunger must be prioritised.

“If we are serious about tackling hunger we need a more integrated approach that tackles its underlying causes. Progress won’t be made if we don’t address the causes of conflict, the continuing inequality for women and girls, and weak health systems. We also need better data. The figures in this report are alarming, but the true scale of acute-malnutrition is probably much higher than what has been reported.

“I hope this report will act as a wake-up call to governments. Unless we have a sea-change in our thinking on how we tackle hunger, the situation will continue to get worse”