Global Food Crisis Coming

There is an impending food crisis, the United Nations has warned. António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, released a statement and policy brief about the looming emergency on June 9, 2020. (1, 2)

Guterres explained that, while we produce enough food globally to feed the planet’s 7.8 billion-person population, more than 820 million people are already going hungry. The COVID-19 pandemic will only exacerbate that problem. And the UN estimates that 49 million extra people could experience extreme poverty because of it. (1)

“Our food systems are failing, and the COVID-19 pandemic is making things worse,” Guterres said. “Unless immediate action is taken, it is increasingly clear that there is an impending global food emergency that could have long-term impacts on hundreds of millions of children and adults.” (1)

Guterres warned that even in countries that are producing plenty of food, disruptions in the food supply chain will cause increases in the number of people who are food insecure. Food insecurity caused by COVID-19 is already impacting children worldwide. According to the UN’s report, The Impact of COVID-19 on Food Security and Nutrition, 368 million schoolchildren are going without the daily school meals that they depend on. (1, 2)

There are already 144 million children under five years of age who are stunted, representing about 20% of children worldwide. And 47 million children are considered wasting. The UN believes that the impending food crisis means that these numbers will increase quickly. (2)

According to the Guardian, an increase in the number of children who are stunted or wasting will have devastating long-term effects. Inadequate nutrition in childhood can cause lifelong health problems. And a higher number of people suffering will also strain healthcare systems. (3)

Solutions to the Crisis

Guterres laid out a three-part plan to combat the food crisis. He recommended immediate action to avoid a food emergency. (1)

First, Guterres recommended focusing aid on where the need is most intense. He stressed that food and nutrition services would need to be considered essential while protecting workers from the coronavirus. Countries need to ensure that they can process and transport food to all areas that need it. Additionally, food and nutritional assistance need to make their way to the most vulnerable populations. The same needs to happen for relief and stimulus packages. (1)

Second, Guterres said that “we must strengthen social protection systems for nutrition.” This includes ensuring that children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, older adults, and other at-risk populations have access to nutritious foods. (1)

Finally, Guterres looked to the future. He said, “We have an opportunity to build a more inclusive and sustainable world.” He cast a vision for expanding access to nutritious foods and rebuilding food systems that work with the environment instead of against it. (1)

If we take these measures quickly, Guterres believes that we will avoid a food crisis. And we can also improve our food systems long-term. As Agnes Kalibata, the UN secretary general’s special envoy for the 2021 food systems summit, told The Guardian, “Food has always brought people together and it can again if we build back better as it relates to our food systems.” (1, 3)