According to the United Nations agency, between 2019 and 2021, the number of people suffering from hunger in the region 30 percent increase56.5 million dong left.
This alarming increase in food insecurity has occurred even though Latin America and the Caribbean are the world’s largest net food exporters. It has also outperformed other regions in reducing poverty, in the decade to 2015.
Progress of the decade at risk
In a call for agricultural reform to stem a decade’s setback in tackling hunger and poverty, FAO Chief Minister Qu Dongyu called on the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to expand food supplies in the Caribbean, where a healthy diet is expensive.
Mr. Qu said persistent poverty and rising inequality hit rural people hardest, especially women, young people and other vulnerable people.
The head of the UN agency also called for more investment in water infrastructure and food production in Central America – where drought and migration create additional challenges for growers – and improved food exchanges. between neighboring Andean countries, through infrastructure investments in production, storage and transportation.
Fair share
Asking for help from FAO, Mr. Qu reiterated the importance of addressing inequality for Latin American and Caribbean leaders. “on the most unequal continent in the world”like they had commit to be implemented by 2030 at the latest.
Urgent collective action is also needed to focus on the economic and social consequences of the pandemic, increasing food insecurity and the prices of food, fertilizers and agricultural products, he stressed. other industries is increasing.
In addition, all countries should work together to deal with the climate crisis and biodiversity erosion, deforestation and water scarcity, the FAO Director-General affirmed.
uncertain climate
Although the global FAO food price index Prices for a range of essential goods have fallen in recent months, providing some respite, the agency said, adding that “recovery is yet to be established,” the agency said.
It forecasts that more challenges are “inevitable” as the world’s agro-food systems will continue to face “risks and uncertainties, including those stemming from climate crisis and economic recession”.
