Food insecurity
Key facts
Persistent food and nutrition insecurity continues to be a chronic problem. A main concern of food insecurity is insufficient nutrient intake and subsequent malnutrition. Globally, almost half of deaths among children under five years are linked to undernutrition (wasting, stunting, underweight). Children and adults who are malnourished have an increased risk of infection and severe disease and have higher rates of morbidity and mortality.
Drought, often exacerbated by environmental degradation and climate change, is the most common cause of food shortage and insecurity. This has a major impact on the health and well-being of both humans and animals (including livestock). Loss of livestock can increase both nutritional and economic instability of families and communities.
Other underlying factors often causing food insecurity include conflict, poverty, floods and lack of agricultural infrastructure.
Unlike rapid onset disasters, food insecurity often has a gradual onset. Response to food insecurity should include nutrition-specific interventions, guided by nutrition specialists, aimed at preventing or treating acute malnutrition and actions to address the root cause of the food insecurity (for example, actions to minimize the impact of existing drought; actions to improve agricultural infrastructure; etc.).
Main health impacts
Health concern |
Risk factors |
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Mental health consequences |
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Malnutrition including micronutrient deficiency |
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Diarrhoeal diseases |
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Respiratory illnesses, skin diseases and vaccine-preventable diseases |
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