Global Hunger Index Ranks Pakistan 88th in Food Security

ISLAMABAD: At least one-third or 37% of population of Pakistan of over 200 million face food security while 15 million children in the country are victims of stunt growth, the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2020 report said.

The report has ranked Pakistan 88th of 107 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2020.

With a score of 24.6, Pakistan has a level of hunger that is termed serious while its GHI Score Trend has worsened over the years.

The Global Hunger Index report warned that the food security condition and nutrition crisis will possibly deteriorate in Pakistan ensuing novel coronavirus pandemic situation.

Hurdles in the transportation of daily use items, surge in prices of commodities, and slash in incomes are primary reasons behind the crisis swelling, it said.

Global hunger Index Report warned that if the food security crisis persisted, the generations to come would be weak, feeble, and face health issues.

This issue will have serious repercussions as it would not only affect human and social development but will also pose a threat to national security.

The report called for immediate action on part of the government, private sector, and civil society to end or at least alleviate the crisis.

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A minimum of a five-year-long strategy has been suggested to overcome the problem.

According to the IMF, the population living below the poverty line in Pakistan could rise sharply due to the pandemic situation.

Moreover, 17 million children under the age of five are not administered routine vaccinations, leaving them vulnerable to health risks posed by Covid-19.

Globally, nearly 690 million people are undernourished, 144 million children suffer from stunting, a sign of chronic undernutrition, 47 million children suffer from wasting, a sign of acute undernutrition, Global Hunger Report added.

In 2018, as many as 5.3 million children died before their fifth birthdays as a result of undernutrition.

“The world is not on track to achieve the second Sustainable Development Goal – known as Zero Hunger for short – by 2030. At the current pace, approximately 37 countries will fail even to reach low hunger, as defined by the GHI Severity Scale, by 2030.”

According to the 2020 Global Hunger Index, worldwide hunger is at a moderate level.