Global hunger increased even before the pandemic, a stark warning that the world was off track on zero hunger long before COVID-19 disrupted food systems. The message from UN agencies is clear, without urgent coordinated action, zero hunger remains out of reach for millions.
Rising conflict, climate extremes, economic shocks, and fragile supply chains have pushed food insecurity to critical levels. Understanding these drivers, their unequal impact, and the policy responses available is essential to confronting the scale of the crisis.
| Region | Pre-pandemic hunger trend (2015-2019) | Key drivers before COVID-19 | Impact level (2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-Saharan Africa | Continued rise in undernourishment | Conflict, climate shocks, low income | High prevalence, acute vulnerability |
| Latin America and the Caribbean | Slow progress, then reversal | Economic slowdown, inequality | Moderate to high food insecurity |
| Western Asia | Steady increase | Conflict, economic crisis | Very high prevalence in several countries |
| Southern Asia | Slowdown in reduction | High population pressure, climate risk | Large numbers undernourished |
Conflict and Instability as Core Drivers
Wars and civil unrest in regions such as Yemen, Syria, and parts of Africa directly disrupt farming, trade routes, and humanitarian access. Violence separates communities from markets and fields, making zero hunger harder to achieve where stability is fragile.
Displacement and lost livelihoods
Conflict forces families to flee, losing homes, assets, and income, which immediately increases hunger and malnutrition risks in both host communities and camps.
Climate Extremes Undermining Food Systems
Droughts, floods, and heatwaves have intensified even before the pandemic, hitting crop yields, livestock survival, and water availability. Climate shocks amplify existing vulnerabilities and erase progress toward zero hunger in many regions.
Smallholder exposure and risk
Small-scale farmers and pastoralists, who rely on seasonal rains, face the greatest losses when climate variability destroys harvests and depletes livestock.
Economic Shocks and Structural Inequality
Stagnant wages, high debt, and weak social protection left many households unable to afford adequate food well before the pandemic. Rising inequality means that even in growing economies, the poorest see few gains and remain at risk of hunger.
Urban pressures and informal work
Informal workers in cities were especially exposed to income loss, making nutritious food unaffordable and pushing more households into food insecurity pre-COVID.
Policy Responses and Systemic Gaps
Governments and international organizations introduced early warnings, social protection, and resilience programs, but coverage and funding remain insufficient. Coordinated action across humanitarian aid, development, and peacebuilding is required to bend hunger trends downward.
Need for resilience and inclusion
Effective policies combine social protection with investments in smallholder productivity, climate adaptation, and fair markets to reduce vulnerability to future shocks.
Urgent Pathways to Zero Hunger
- Invest in conflict-sensitive and climate-resilient agriculture
- Scale up inclusive social protection and nutrition programs
- Strengthen local markets and supply chain resilience
- Enhance data and early warning systems to target the most vulnerable
- Mobilize sustained financing and coordinated international support
FAQ
Reader questions
Why was global hunger already rising before the pandemic?
Conflict, climate extremes, economic inequality, and weak governance were driving food insecurity upward, reducing the pace of progress toward zero hunger even without a global crisis.
Which regions were most affected before COVID-19?
Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Asia, and parts of Southern Asia experienced the sharpest increases in hunger due to conflict, climate risk, and fragile economies.
How did pre-existing inequality shape hunger trends?
Income gaps and limited social protection meant that economic shocks hit poor households hardest, leaving many unable to access sufficient and nutritious food.
What policy changes could have slowed the rise in hunger?
Expanding social protection, supporting smallholder farming, strengthening climate adaptation, and improving market access would have reduced vulnerability before the pandemic.