Food Security
Technical Areas
Food Security
Food security is fundamental to human dignity, health, and sustainable development. Despite global efforts, hunger and malnutrition persist, affecting millions worldwide. In 2023, approximately 733 million people nearly one in eleven globally, faced hunger, with one in five affected in Africa. This underscores the urgent need for systemic, inclusive, and climate-resilient food systems that ensure equitable access to nutritious food for all.
Food security is fundamental to human dignity, health, and sustainable development. Despite global efforts, hunger and malnutrition persist, affecting millions worldwide. In 2023, approximately 733 million people nearly one in eleven globally, faced hunger, with one in five affected in Africa. This underscores the urgent need for systemic, inclusive, and climate-resilient food systems that ensure equitable access to nutritious food for all.
Technical Areas
Global and Regional Overview of Food Security
The global food security landscape remains precarious, influenced by conflicts, economic instability, and climate change. Key insights include:
- Global Hunger Trends: As of 2023, around 2.33 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity, with over 864 million facing severe levels.
- Africa: One in five individuals faced hunger in 2023, highlighting significant challenges in food access and availability.
- South Asia: Persistent undernutrition and child malnutrition remain critical issues, exacerbated by economic and climatic factors.
- Conflict Zones: Regions like Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti, and the Palestinian territories are identified as hunger hotspots, with acute food insecurity projected to worsen.
Technical Areas
Global Challenges in Food Security
Several interlinked challenges hinder progress towards global food security:
- Climate Change: Extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, disrupt agricultural production, leading to reduced yields and increased food insecurity.
- Economic Instability: Rising food prices and economic downturns limit access to affordable, nutritious food, especially for vulnerable populations.
- Conflict and Displacement: Armed conflicts displace communities, disrupt food supply chains, and hinder humanitarian access, exacerbating hunger crises.
- Health Crises: Outbreaks of diseases like avian flu affect livestock and poultry, impacting food availability and safety
Technical Areas
Emerging Opportunities
Despite challenges, several opportunities can be leveraged to enhance food security:
- Technological Innovations: Advancements in agricultural technology, including climate-smart practices and digital tools, can increase productivity and resilience.
- Policy Frameworks: Global initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national policies focused on food security provide strategic directions for coordinated action.
- Community Engagement: Empowering local communities through participatory approaches ensures that interventions are context-specific and sustainable.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborations between governments, NGOs, and the private sector can mobilize resources and expertise to address food insecurity.
Qu Dongyu, Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO
There is no development without food security and no food security without resilience.
Technical Areas
Recommendations
To effectively address food security challenges, the following strategies are recommended:
- Integrated Approaches: Implement multisectoral strategies that combine agriculture, nutrition, health, and social protection interventions.
- Strengthen Resilience: Invest in building the resilience of food systems to withstand shocks from climate change, economic crises, and conflicts.
- Enhance Data Systems: Develop robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to inform policy decisions and track progress.
- Promote Equity: Ensure that food security initiatives are inclusive, addressing the needs of marginalized groups, including women, children, and displaced populations.
Technical Areas
What Bodmando Does
At Bodmando, we are committed to advancing food security through evidence-based and context-specific interventions:
- We support the execution of comprehensive food security programs that address immediate needs and long-term sustainability.
- Our team assists stakeholders in formulating policies and strategies that promote equitable and resilient food systems.
- We provide training and support to enhance the capabilities of institutions and communities in managing food security initiatives.
- Bodmando conducts research to identify innovative solutions and best practices in food security and nutrition.
Technical Areas
References
- FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO. (2024). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024. https://www.fao.org/publications/fao-flagship-publications/the-state-of-food-security-and-nutrition-in-the-world/en
- World Health Organization. (2024). Hunger numbers stubbornly high for three consecutive years as global crises deepen. https://www.who.int/news/item/24-07-2024-hunger-numbers-stubbornly-high-for-three-consecutive-years-as-global-crises-deepen–un-report
- Reuters. (2025). World food prices increase in April, UN’s FAO says. https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/corrected-world-food-prices-increase-april-uns-fao-says-2025-05-02/
- AP News. (2024). UN report warns of famine, aggravated by conflicts and climate shocks. https://apnews.com/article/5f41d3cb7500dd0eb151de52ebe287a7
- The Sun. (2024). Four forgotten conflicts leaving millions suffering with ‘alarming’ hunger levels. https://www.thesun.ie/news/14403123/concern-worldwide-four-forgotten-conflicts-hunger-death/
