UN World Food Day: Little progress made in the fight against hunger

World hunger remains a pressing issue despite recent declines, with over 645 million people, about 7.8 percent of the global population, still facing hunger in 2025, according to the United Nations. This number represents a slight improvement compared to previous years but remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges posed by conflicts, climate change, and reduced humanitarian funding, particularly in crisis regions. The annual World Food Day, observed on October 16, focuses on addressing these issues through innovation in food systems aimed at feeding more people while reducing waste. The day marks the anniversary of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945. According to the UN's State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, global hunger has decreased for three consecutive years but remains elevated compared to 2019 levels. Africa bears the brunt of the hunger crisis, with an estimated 309 million people undernourished in 2025. This accounts for nearly half of the world's hungry population and represents one in five people on the continent. In contrast, Asia saw 292 million undernourished individuals, making up 6 percent of its population, while Latin America and the Caribbean had 32 million undernourished people, or 4.8 percent of its population. The 2026 Global Hunger Index further underscores the severity of the problem, with eight countries classified as having an "alarming" hunger situation. Seven of these are located in Africa, including Somalia, which holds the lowest score among the 122 countries assessed. Other nations with alarming scores include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, Madagascar, Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, and Yemen. However, due to ongoing conflicts and data limitations, accurate assessments for some of these countries remain challenging. Despite efforts to address food insecurity, a significant portion of the world's food production does not reach consumers. According to the FAO, approximately 13 percent of food is lost after harvest but before it reaches stores, primarily due to spoilage during storage, transportation, or processing. Fruits and vegetables experience the highest rates of loss. Additionally, food lost before reaching shops amounts to over $400 billion annually. Once food reaches consumers, nearly a fifth of it is discarded, totaling about 1.05 billion tonnes in 2022. Households contribute the largest share, accounting for 60 percent of this waste, followed by restaurants and other food services at 28 percent and shops at 12 percent. Reducing food waste at home is crucial in combating global hunger. Experts recommend planning meals ahead of time, understanding date labels, storing food appropriately, using freezers effectively, cooking only what is needed, and consuming older items first. These practices can significantly minimize household food waste and help alleviate the global food shortage crisis. Efforts to achieve the UN's goal of ending hunger by 2030 face numerous obstacles, including rising food prices, limited access to essential agricultural inputs, and reduced humanitarian aid. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated international action and innovative solutions to ensure sustainable food systems that meet the needs of all populations.