World Hunger Increases for Third Year in a Row
Washington, D.C. – A new report released today by the United Nations states that 821 million people suffered hunger in 2017, or 1 in 9 of the world’s people. After decades of gradual decline, this marks the third year in a row the hunger rate has increased.
According to the report, State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2018, conflict and climate change are driving this reversal. See also Bread for the World Institute’s 2017 Hunger Report, Fragile Environments, Resilient Communities on the impact of conflict and climate change.
“We applaud Congress and USAID administrator Mark Green for their continued commitment to addressing global hunger, and for ensuring that development assistance remains an important component of the U.S. foreign policy and national security strategy,” said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World.
“We urge the leadership of the House of Representatives to pass the Global Food Security Act. The Trump administration supports the bill, the Senate has already approved it, and a bipartisan list of 130 members of the House have cosponsored it. This legislation would continue successful U.S. programs of assistance to struggling farm families in the world’s poorest countries,” Beckmann added.
The new report notes that the world continues to make progress against child malnutrition, but that more than one-fifth of the children under the age of five in developing countries are stunted. Chronic malnutrition contributes to an early death for millions of children and to irreparable damage to the brains and bodies of those who survive.
Hunger in conflict zones such as Syria, Somalia, and South Sudan requires not only humanitarian aid, but also diplomatic efforts to moderate conflict and agricultural assistance to help farmers struggling with climate change.
The U.S. government’s Feed the Future program provided agricultural assistance to nearly 11 million farmers and nutrition assistance to more than 27 million children last year. But the Global Food Security Act, which authorizes funding for the program, will expire on September 30 unless the House of Representatives acts.
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Briefing Paper: A Multi-Sectoral Approach to Nutrition. Assessing USAID's Progress.
Better nutrition is a necessary component of a country’s capacity to achieve development goals such as economic growth and improved public health.
The U.S. Contribution to Ending Global Malnutrition
Worldwide, maternal and child malnutrition causes millions of deaths each year. In some countries, it holds entire generations back from reaching their economic potential.
For Faith
Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty
A diverse body of Christian leaders calls on the churches and Congress to focus on the integral connection.
Dear Members of Congress,
As the president and Congress are preparing their plans for this year, almost 100 church leaders—from all the families of U.S. Christianity—are...
In Times Like These … A Pan-African Christian Devotional for Public Policy Engagement
This devotional guide invites deepened relationship with and among Pan-African people and elected leaders in the mission to end hunger and poverty.
Sermon by David Beckmann at Duke University Chapel
Remarks delivered October 1, 2017 at Duke University Chapel in Chapel Hill in North Carolina.
Thank you for inviting me to preach here at Duke University Chapel. And I especially want to thank the Bread for the World members who have come this morning.
Bruce Puckett urged...
For Advocacy
Fact Sheet: Why We Need $250 Million for Global Nutrition Programs
Bread for the World and its partners are asking Congress to provide $250 million for global nutrition in the fiscal year 2020 budget.
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Fact Sheet: Hunger by the Numbers
In 2017, 11.8 percent of households in the U.S.—40 million people—were food-insecure, meaning that they were unsure at some point during the year about how they would provide for their next meal.