Abdulmalik Adetola Lawal
Nearly one in 11 people around the world go to bed hungry each night, a crisis driven largely by conflict, climate change, and chronic inequality. Despite advances in agriculture and food technology, hunger remains one of the most critical issues affecting millions worldwide.
As the World Food Prize event approaches, honoring innovations in the fight against hunger and food insecurity, the global hunger crisis continues to worsen. The worldwide inflation and the wars in key regions have not only clouded the efforts to quench hunger globally but also drastically increased the percent of hungry people, making effort futile.
There is more than enough food produced in the world to feed everyone on the planet. Yet 733 million people still go hungry. The world produces enough food to feed all 8 billion people, yet 828 million still go hungry every day. Of those, over 40% are facing acute hunger, according to the World Food Programme. Additionally, 2.3 billion people—29.6% of the global population—lack adequate access to food. Each year, hunger-related causes claim the lives of 9 million people, many of them children under five. Hunger impacts children disproportionately, with 45 million children under five suffering from wasting, while 149 million are affected by stunting. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions, as factors like climate change, conflict, and economic instability continue to push more people into food insecurity. The rising hunger rates call for a renewed global commitment that will ensure that people are not going hungry.
Globally, one in ten people suffers from chronic hunger, with sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia bearing the brunt of the crisis. Conflict-ridden regions like Gaza, Ukraine, Yemen and Syria are particularly vulnerable, as war disrupts food supply chains and displaces entire populations. The toll of hunger is devastating, particularly for children. Malnutrition leads to stunting, weakening their immune systems and leaving them more vulnerable to disease. In the long term, hunger also holds back economic growth. In nations where a significant portion of the population is food insecure, labor productivity plummets, education suffers, and the chances for economic development dim.
Solutions and Innovations
Past World Food Prize laureates have made invaluable contributions to solving the hunger crisis. Innovations such as drought-resistant crops, sustainable irrigation systems, and advancements in food distribution have helped alleviate food insecurity in various parts of the world. But these solutions must be scaled and adapted to local needs. International organizations, governments, and private enterprises must work together to promote sustainable farming practices and ensure equitable food distribution.
Tackling the global hunger crisis demands a coordinated and sustainable effort from governments, international bodies, and private organizations. To truly make a difference, we must prioritize equitable access to food, invest in climate-smart agriculture, and empower local food systems. Scaling up innovations like drought-tolerant crops, efficient food distribution networks, and grassroots farming programs can bring relief to millions. But more than solutions, it’s about commitment—political will, funding, and a shared vision of fairness in food access. As the World Food Prize approaches, the roadmap to ending hunger is clear; what’s missing is the urgency to act. The time to turn plans into action is now.