Central African Republic, Chad, Zambia top global hunger index
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Hunger
Rome, Oct. 11, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) An annual index that was published on Tuesday said that hunger levels in developing countries have fallen to 29 per cent since 2000.
It said that efforts to curb hunger must be accelerated in order to meet an international target to eradicate the level of hunger by 2030.
“Hunger levels are “alarming” in seven countries, with Central African Republic (CAR), Chad and Zambia experiencing the worst levels.
“Haiti, reeling from last week’s Hurricane Matthew and still recovering from a massive 2010 earthquake, has the fourth highest hunger score.
“Another 43 countries, including India, Nigeria and Indonesia, have “serious” hunger levels,’’ the 2016 Global Hunger Index sated.
It said that the current rate of decline affects more than 45 countries, including India, Pakistan, Haiti, Yemen, and Afghanistan will have “moderate” to “alarming” hunger scores in the year 2030.
“Countries must accelerate the pace at which they are reducing hunger” if they are to meet the 2030 target.
“Ending global hunger is certainly possible, but it’s up to all of us to set the priorities right.
“We must ensure that governments, private sector and civil society devote the time and resources necessary,” Shenggen Fan, Director General of the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), said.
World leaders agreed on a 2030 deadline for ending global hunger last year as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – an ambitious plan for tackling poverty, hunger and inequality.
IFPRI produces the annual index along with aid agencies Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. (Reuters/NAN)
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Edited by Damilola Oyewole and Abdullahi Yusuf