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Food insecurity in Iraq, Ghana and Afghanistan is reaching unsustainable levels, with populations at risk of stunted growth, severe malnutrition and the risk of losing their lives.
Iraq’s situation has alarmingly worsened over recent years.
In 2021, approximately 53.9 million Iraqis, more than half of the population, faced severe food insecurity. This represents an increase of 55% compared to data from 2010.
Furthermore, when considering moderate to severe food insecurity, the figures rise to an estimated 154.3 million individuals affected, marking an increase of 11.6 million from the previous year.
Several intertwined factors contribute to this escalating crisis.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major disruptor, significantly impacting food supply chains and reducing household purchasing power as more individuals fall below the poverty line.
Climate change presents another grave challenge, diminishing the water levels of the vital Tigris and Euphrates rivers and affecting agricultural outputs.
The year 2022 saw a drastic reduction in wheat production, estimated at 70% lower than average due to insufficient rainfall. This agricultural shortfall occurs in the context of decades of conflict and political instability, which have eroded governmental structures and reduced the capacity to address food security challenges effectively.
The socio-economic fabric of Iraq continues to strain under these pressures, with the national poverty rate escalating to 31.7% in 2022. Certain regions are experiencing poverty rates as high as 50%, and with 1.2 million Iraqis still internally displaced, the nation faces substantial hurdles in improving living conditions for its citizens.
The rising cost of a healthy diet has been a consistent trend since 2017, further complicating efforts to combat hunger. Without significant and immediate interventions, Iraq’s goal of achieving zero hunger by 2030 remains a formidable challenge, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2).
During the lean season of 2020, the situation became particularly acute, with over 21,000 individuals suffering from a lack of food security.
This issue predominantly affects northern Ghana, where an overwhelming 90% of households depend on agriculture that relies solely on seasonal rains. The vulnerability of this rain-fed agriculture places an undue strain on these communities, particularly when the rains are insufficient.
Recent studies, including one from 2023, highlight the gravity of the situation: nearly half of the Ghanaian population (47.7%) experienced food insecurity in 2020.
This rate includes a staggering 38.7% of individuals in the Northern Region. The rural areas, heavily reliant on agricultural livelihoods, face compounded challenges due to inadequate infrastructure, low agricultural prices, limited access to financial services, markets, and sustainable farming practices.
Other factors contributing to food insecurity in Ghana include:
Afghanistan’s food insecurity crisis is affecting an estimated 17.2 million people, or 40% of the population, who are classified as experiencing Crisis or Emergency levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or 4) as of April 2023.
This distressing situation has significantly worsened following the Taliban takeover, with comparative studies indicating that food insecurity levels soared to 98% of households post-takeover, a drastic increase from 70% prior.
The 2020 Global Hunger Index starkly highlighted the severity of the situation, ranking Afghanistan 99th out of 107 countries.
Key factors exacerbating this crisis include:
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