“Dramatically off course”: 41 million are on the verge of famine

“Dramatically off course”
41 million are on the verge of famine

Hunger in the world should be eradicated by 2030. That is the goal of the United Nations. But Welthungerhilfe is much more skeptical: it has “dramatically” deviated from this course. Development Minister Müller is also sounding the alarm and sees an “unbelievable scandal”.

Welthungerhilfe has warned of an increase in famine. Secretary General Mathias Mogge told the editorial network Germany (RND): “We have dramatically deviated from the course of zero hunger by 2030, because hunger is on the rise again.” Around 811 million people around the world are currently starving, and 41 million are on the verge of famine. “The current global hunger index shows that 47 countries will not even have low hunger levels by 2030,” he said.

Welthungerhilfe is officially presenting the so-called World Hunger Index 2021 in Berlin today. The international report determines the global hunger situation and aims to show where progress has been made and in which countries there is the greatest need for action. Mogge told the RND: “Welthungerhilfe calls for political initiatives to contain the conflicts worldwide, financial efforts to counteract the acute famine.” In addition, binding agreements are needed at the upcoming UN climate conference in Glasgow to combat climate change. The food situation is deteriorating because of the many different crises.

“This is an unbelievable scandal”

Mogge mentioned wars and conflicts, climate change and the consequences of the corona pandemic. Violent conflicts have increased again in recent years. You are one of the greatest hunger drivers. “Where there is war, crops, fields and infrastructure are destroyed and people flee their villages.”

Federal Development Minister Gerd Müller is also sounding the alarm. “The consequences of the corona pandemic and many conflicts have led to a negative trend reversal in recent years: Millions of people are out of work on the street, supply chains are interrupted, food prices are rising,” said the CSU politician of the “Augsburger Allgemeine”. “130 million people have fallen back into hunger and poverty,” emphasized the minister. Climate change is exacerbating the situation.

“We must finally understand the fight against hunger and poverty as a forward-looking peace policy – and put it at the top of the global political agenda,” demanded Müller before World Food Day on October 16. He pointed to 15,000 children starving to death every day. “This is an unbelievable scandal”. Müller added: “Hunger is murder, because we have the knowledge and the technology to satisfy everyone.” A world without hunger is fundamentally possible, Müller made clear. “With an additional 40 billion euros per year for sustainable food and agriculture by the industrialized, private and developing countries, hunger can be defeated by 2030.”

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