In the face of conflict, numerous economic shocks, and extreme weather events fanned by the changing climate, the world’s efforts to tackle food insecurity continue to fall short of what is required. The number of people going hungry has been gradually rising since 2015, before accelerating sharply in 2020 in response to the pandemic and conflict. This trend shows no signs of abating in the near term—meaning the task of achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, of “Zero Hunger” by 2030, is growing more formidable. The rising frequency and intensity of floods, droughts, and other extreme weather events weighs on global supplies of wheat and other crucial commodities, and this has been exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, surging sovereign debt levels, combined with currency depreciation in many markets, tightening financial conditions, and high food inflation and fertilizer prices, are making it difficult for acutely food-insecure nations to respond effectively.
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