The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is calling for immediate, concrete actions to address the growing hunger crisis in Africa, urging for a coordinated global response. During the recent G7 Development Ministers’ Meeting, the FAO reaffirmed its commitment to a new initiative under Italy’s G7 presidency aimed at enhancing food security across Africa and beyond.
The FAO’s 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report reveals that one in 11 people globally—totaling 733 million—faced hunger in 2023, with Africa experiencing the largest increase. The report underscores the need for innovative financing and a reformed global food security funding framework to address this pressing issue.
“Focused Collaboration with Africa is Key”
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasized Africa as a top priority, advocating for closer cooperation with the African Union and African leaders to direct investments where they will make the most substantial impact. He cited Italy’s G7 coffee initiative as a promising model, as it supports millions of farming households worldwide, particularly across Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
Strengthening Agrifood Systems through the G7 Apulia Food Systems Initiative
The FAO has been a key partner in the G7 Apulia Food Systems Initiative, launched in June 2024. This initiative supports projects in low-income countries across Africa, aiming to eliminate structural barriers to food security by building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems. Aligned with the FAO’s broader mission, the Apulia Initiative addresses the critical link between climate change and agrifood systems.
Closing the Hunger Funding Gap
While the FAO has identified effective policies, investments, and innovative solutions for agrifood transformation, QU warned of a looming funding gap reaching trillions of dollars. This gap highlights the urgent need for increased financial support to help countries battling severe hunger and malnutrition.
Proposing a Financing Facility for Shock-Driven Food Crises
Beyond financing, QU underscored the importance of preparing for and rapidly responding to food crises. To address this, the FAO has proposed a financing facility to the G7, developed in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This facility will enable anticipatory and rapid-response actions, leveraging risk assessment tools and catastrophe insurance models to expand coverage across more vulnerable regions.
By leveraging scientific advances and parametric insurance for 12 distinct hazards, the FAO’s proposal aims to provide timely intervention to prevent food crises from escalating, with support from donor and private sector investments.
A Global Call to Action
The FAO calls on governments, donors, and private sector partners worldwide to step up their commitments to address the urgent hunger crisis in Africa. With collaborative, strategic investments, QU emphasized, the world can build a more resilient and food-secure future for all.
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