2018 GHI: the fight against hunger needs to be accelerated

Where are we at the 2018 World Food Day? Is the “Zero Hunger” SDG number 2 near to be reached? The Global Hunger Index 2018 provides an answer and many questions at the same time. Progress has been made, but the trend should be accelerated.

On October 11, The ‘Forced Migration and Hunger’ conference was organised by the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) (1) and Cesvi at ISPI’s Head Quarter, Clerici Palace, Milan. Cesvi is an independent lay and humanitarian organization which works all-over the world and especially with vulnerable population, for the protection of human rights and the promotion of sustainable development. The event was organized on the occasion of the launch of the 2018 Global Hunger Index (GHI) (2) and it was in Italian, with simultaneous interpretation in english. This event was introduced by Daniela Bernacchi and Valeria Emmi.

Daniela B. is the Cesvi’s CEO and General Manager since 2015; she opened the conference introducing CESVI and commenting on the latest data on migration and hunger. According to the 2018 GHI results, the world level of hunger and malnutrition decreased with respect to the year 2000 but it is still serious, i.e. 20,9 over 50 on average (3). However, it is worth noting that the trend has reversed over the last three years, according to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2018 (SOFI): in 2017 about 17 million people more suffered from chronic food deprivation with respect to 2016. Moreover, estimates suggest 68,5 million persons have been displaced, with the majority – 40 million – being Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). (4) Displacement arises as the consequence of combinations of various factors ranging from conflicts, political and social disorders and violence to natural or human made disasters. As a consequence of the hostile contexts in which they found themselves, people face hunger and are forced to displace.

Valeria E., in quality of advocacy coordinator at CESVI, introduced the concept of GHI, explaining that the 2018 report on GHI focuses especially on the nexus between migration and hunger. In particular, it analyses how these two phenomena are interrelated and how they can be considered as one the consequence of the other, of course as a part of a bigger vicious-cycle. On the topic, Valeria E. reported the analysis of Laura Hammond (5) on some common but wrong perceptions about forced migration and hunger and on how instead the problem should be understood and thus faced.

Following the introductory part, the floor was given to Mohamed Adan Ahmed, CESVI deputy head of programs in Somalia and Kenya, who shared stories of refugees and internally displaced persons he met during his work. Finally, a debate was opened, on the link between migration and hunger, in which Patrizia Toia (MEP), Fabrizio Nava (Counsellor at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy), Mary Kozhaya (FAO) and Paola Alvarez (Project Development Officer at IOM) were asked to take part as long with Mohammed A. A.. The debate was moderated by Giampaolo Musumeci, journalist at Radio24, and each of the hosts was asked to report on the respective organization’s work on the issue.

“2018 GHI Launch Event, Milan, 11.10.2018″ by Sara Lorenzini, is licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0

On the day of the World Food Day, it is critical to raise awareness on this global challenge we are facing today: we are still far from reaching SDG 2 “Zero Hunger” (6). Indeed, the pace at which this issue has been moving since 2000, and especially in the last two years, is clearly insufficient to reach our goals. Today, it seems unfortunately inevitable that about 50 countries will remain classified as ‘low’ on the scale established by the GHI’s classification, even past 2030 (7). Still a huge percentage of the world population indeed is not guaranteed with access to adequate food, due to many different reasons going from political, social, economic to infrastructural ones. Migrants and people who are forced to leave their homes are amongst the most vulnerable people and they usually lack social basic amenities, such as health, education, access to water and food. Moreover, malnutrition and undernutrition undermine the mental and human development of the person.

At this proposal, the conference has proven insightful, and useful to gain a deeper understanding of the issue, as well as of the approach taken by some of the most important institutions and organisations working on the matter. Indeed, what I have appreciated the most is that there has been space both for an introductory part, in which concrete data have been presented, and a second part which instead has hosted a debate. The former has been useful to know the real and concrete situation of the state of hunger and migration in the world and thus to have a better grasp of reality, while the latter has been useful for analysing the points of strength and weakness of the international approach in addressing the problem.

In the final debate indeed, the hosts, in quality of relevant stakeholders and members of international organizations that deal with the issue, have underlined how actions based solely on humanitarian assistance do not help in eradicating hunger. What is necessary instead is the implementation of long-term strategies that work on the root causes of hunger. Moreover, actions of different international institutions and organizations have to be coordinated among themselves. In parallel, they have to be undertaken in collaboration with the government of the recipient country, as long as this is possible.

These issues are developmental problems. Thus, as a LLM Sustainable Development Student, one should think at the issue as a challenge: what could and should the international community do to tackle the issue? How could the progress made in reducing hunger be accelerated? Which actions could be undertaken to implement a long-term strategy, instead of working from an ‘emergency’ perspective?

ISPI continuously organises events on various issues, and I would strongly recommend all Sustainable Development enthusiasts to assist to one of them; it is also an opportunity for networking and meeting relevant stakeholders of the political spheres.

(4) The data are reported in 2018 GHI Report, Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide. Italian version by CESVI.

(5) Dr. Laura Hammond is a Senior lecturer in development studies at SOAS University, London. Moreover, she has been conducting researches and she has been publishing on the issues of conflict, food security, migration and diaspora especially in and from the Horn of Africa.

(6) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 25 September 2015, during the Seventieth session. A/RES/70/1: Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

(7) 2018 GHI Report, Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide. Italian version by CESVI.