Introduction
The 2018 Global Hunger Index (GHI), a peer-reviewed annual publication by Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide, reports that the world has made steady yet uneven progress in reducing general hunger. Areas with severe famine and undernutrition remain persistent, which indicates suffering for millions of people. In the GHI 2018, India ranked 103 out of 119 countries, which is a decrease of 3 places compared to its position in 2017.
About the Global Hunger Index
The GHI is an instrument developed to measure and track hunger at global, regional, and national levels comprehensively. By creating awareness about the fight against hunger and drawing attention to the regions of the world where hunger levels are the highest, it seeks to invoke more efforts to eradicate hunger. The GHI calculates a score each year on a 100-point Severity Scale, where 0 is the best score (no hunger) and 100 represents chronic undernutrition.
GHI Score Calculation Indicators
The GHI score considers four indicators:
1. Undernourishment: Measures the population share that experiences insufficient caloric intake.
2. Child Wasting: Reflects acute undernutrition through the percentage of children under five with low weight for their height.
3. Child Stunting: Indicates chronic undernutrition by assessing the proportion of children under five who have low height for their age.
4. Child Mortality: The mortality rate of children under five, reflecting the deadly combination of inadequate nutrition and unhealthy environments.
Worldwide Findings
Globally, the level of hunger and undernutrition is categorized as serious with a GHI score of 20.9. However, this reflects a 28% decline from the score of 29.2 in 2000. At the current pace of progress, it is expected that 50 countries will not be able to achieve low hunger by 2030, thus compromising the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2.
Hunger Inequality
The variation in hunger levels across regions is substantial. South Asia and Africa show serious levels of hunger compared to other regions with low or moderate levels. These areas have high rates of undernourishment, child stunting, wasting, and mortality, worsened by conflict and adverse climatic conditions.
Factors Aggravating Global Hunger
Conflict particularly affects children’s nutritional status, and its impact on child mortality is evident. For instance, among the ten countries with the highest under-five mortality rates, all are situated in Africa south of the Sahara, with seven classified as fragile states. Approximately 70 million displaced people worldwide experience hunger as both a cause and consequence of their displacement.
Hunger in India
India’s hunger level is classified as “serious” with a score of 31.1, which is an improvement from 2000 but higher than the global average. One in five Indian children under five are ‘wasted’, indicating a serious issue of acute malnutrition. Despite improvements in undernourishment, mortality, and stunting, child wasting has worsened. This is linked to low maternal body mass index, emphasizing the need for focusing on maternal nutrition during pregnancy.
Recommendations
To effectively address these issues, resources and focus should be directed towards regions with the majority of displaced people. Displaced individuals and host communities should receive sustained support from governments and international organizations.
UN Resolution 2417 (2018), highlighting the connection between conflict, food insecurity, and famine threat, should be adhered to. Additionally, robust mechanisms for monitoring, reporting, and addressing violations should be implemented.
Special attention should be given to women and girls’ vulnerabilities, ensuring their access to assets, services, resources, and income-generating opportunities. Investment in rural development, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and diversifying livelihoods can help enhance food supplies and increase household resilience. This will require improved governance and strong support for people’s efforts to secure land, market access, and services.
