A staggering 49.5 million people in West and Central Africa are projected to face hunger next year, marking a 4% increase from 2023 and highlighting a dire food security crisis in the region. This alarming figure stems from a new report released by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and other humanitarian agencies, indicating a complex mix of conflict, climate change, and high food prices as the primary contributing factors.
The situation is particularly dire in coastal countries, where the number of individuals facing acute hunger is expected to reach 6.2 million in 2024, representing a 16% increase compared to the current year. “Despite efforts, acute hunger remains at record levels in the region, and funding to address the issue is lagging behind,” stated Margot Vandervelden, WFP’s acting regional director for West Africa.
Insufficient funding poses a significant threat, as it forces those experiencing moderate hunger to skip meals and consume less nutritious food. This vulnerability further increases their risk of slipping back into crisis or emergency hunger phases, perpetuating the cycle of hunger and malnutrition.
The report additionally reveals that more than two-thirds of households in West and Central Africa cannot afford healthy diets. The analysis highlights the stark reality in the central Sahel countries of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, where the daily cost of a nutritious diet is 110% higher than the region’s minimum wage.
These Sahel countries are further burdened by an ongoing Islamist insurgency that has displaced approximately four million people from their homes and farms, according to UN figures. The Democratic Republic of Congo faces similar challenges, with multiple ongoing conflicts displacing nearly seven million people.
The Sahel crisis has also fueled a surge in refugees seeking refuge in neighboring countries like Ivory Coast, Togo, and Ghana, with the latter currently grappling with its worst economic crisis in a generation.
“Almost 80% of individuals currently experiencing difficult food situations reside in conflict-affected areas,” stated Ollo Sib, a senior research adviser for the WFP. He further emphasized the potential for the situation to worsen in certain areas without immediate intervention, noting that over 2.6 million people are at risk of falling into famine.
The report’s findings underscore the urgent need for a multi-pronged approach to address the food security crisis in West and Central Africa. This includes increased funding for humanitarian organizations, conflict resolution efforts, climate change mitigation strategies, and long-term investments in sustainable agriculture and food systems. By addressing these complex issues, the region can work towards a future where food security is a reality for all.
