HUNGER HOTSPOTS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Social Issues)

Context: According to a recently released outlook report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), acute food insecurity is expected to deteriorate in 18 hunger hotspots through April 2024.

Key Highlights of the Report

• These hotspots comprise 22 countries or territories, including two regional clusters.
• The selection of hunger hotspots in the document is based on consensus among food security experts and conflict, economic, and natural hazards analysts from FAO and WFP.
• The countries identified are: Burkina Faso, Mali, Sudan, South Sudan, Niger, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Palestine, Syrian Arab Republic, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Djibouti, Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
• Of these, four African countries — Burkina Faso, Mali, South Sudan and Sudan — remain at the highest level of concern.
• The report provided country-specific recommendations on priorities for emergency response as well as anticipatory actions to address existing humanitarian needs.

Food and Agriculture Organization

• About: FAO, a specialized United Nations agency, plays a crucial role in leading global initiatives aimed at eradicating hunger.
• World Food Day: Every year, on the 16th of October.
• Headquarters: Rome, Italy, 
• Sister Organizations: It collaborates closely with sister organizations like the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

World Food Programme

• Founded: In 1961 by the FAO and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). 
• Headquarters: Rome, Italy
• Member: It is a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), a coalition of UN agencies and organizations aimed at fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).