Stronger political action needed as number of hungry people in Sub-Saharan Africa increases

The amount of people going hungry has dropped by 167 million in the last decade, according to new figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). However, the number of hungry people in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased by 46 million since 1990-1992, while the MDGs target on hunger has not been reached.

In response, Oxfam’s food and agriculture advisor, Luca Chinotti, said:

“It is encouraging that fewer children, women and men are going hungry today. However, we are concerned that the progress in fighting hunger is slowing down. We must not lose sight of the fact that in 2015 there are still 795 million people not getting enough to eat in a world of plenty. This is unjust and inexcusable.

“Climate change is a key threat in our efforts to overcome hunger and malnutrition and, if left unchecked, could reverse progress on hunger dramatically. This year, world leaders are set to agree a new Sustainable Development Goal of reaching “zero hunger” by 2030. Such ambition is badly needed, but we won't be able to sustain the needed progress unless we also tackle climate change at the same time. 

“Progress made by many countries in the last decade show that eradicating hunger by 2030 is possible, but only if there is enough political will. Investing in smallholders, maintaining programs that protect those at risk of hunger, implementing the right to food, stopping landgrabs and addressing protracted crises are fundamental to achieving a world free from hunger. “