CHAPTER 3
Syria: Over 12 years of conflict have pushed more than 12 million Syrians into hunger and forced nearly 13 million from their homes. A se- vere economic downturn, the declining value of the Syrian pound, and the lingering impacts of COVID-19 are forcing families who remain with- in the country’s borders to choose between buy- ing food, fuel or medicine.
Yemen: Yemen’s civil war has cre- ated a major humanitarian emergency. Between 2021 and 2022, the number of Yemenis facing severe hunger increased by 1 million to 17 million.
Afghanistan: When international troops withdrew from Af- ghanistan in August 2021, the government quickly collapsed and entire communities were cut from essential services due to conflict. Today, about 20 million Afghans (nearly half the population) are severely hungry, and 4 million children and women are severely malnourished.
Tajikistan: Tajik- istan (GHI score
of nearly 14) faces continuing food- security challenges – malnutrition rates remain the highest in Central Asia despite decreasing over the past 10 years. The country is also the most vulnerable to cli- mate shocks in the region.
Nepal: Nepal is among the world’s poorest countries, with a Human Development Index (HDI) score of 0.574 in 2019. Challeng- ing geography, civil unrest and a lack of infrastructure complicate efforts to improve livelihoods. One quarter of Nepal’s popula- tion live below the national pov- erty line, on less than US$0.50 per day, exacerbating food insecurity. Philippines: One in 10 Philippine households experiences food in- security. A volatile climate, social inequality and uneven wealth distribution have contributed to the country’s ongoing hunger crises, particularly in its poorest regions.
Myanmar: The “moderate” 2023 GHI score of 16 masks the fact that food insecurity in Myanmar has risen sharply and affects one in five people. Political crisis, conflict, economic down- turn, pre-existing poverty and climate-related shocks are all driving the emergency, which has resulted in stunting of nearly one in every three children.
Madagascar: The country displays another “Alarming” 41 score in the 2023 GHI. Food systems remain under strain, over half of the population are undernourished, and 40% of children are stunted. Main drivers are poverty, limited job prospects, high and rising food prices, and weaknesses in the government’s food and subsidy programs for the poorest.
Somalia: Somalia is experiencing its longest drought in over 40 years, exacerbated by conflict. While famine has been kept at bay for now in Somalia, the food security situation remains critical. Over 6 million people are expected to face severe levels of hunger this year, including 300,000 people facing life-threatening hunger.
Pakistan: With a 2023 GHI score of nearly 27, the “Serious” state of food security reflects sustained poverty, political and structural factors, and recent rises in the cost of basic food items. More recently, climate change effects such as floods have been exacerbating food insecurity.
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