Global Hunger Index Essay

Introduction

In 2016, the Global Hunger Index (GHI), a study that was conjointly published and circulated by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe (CWW), reported that the developing world was experiencing remarkable results in the fight against hunger. However, the number of people suffering from hunger remained distressingly high. The 2016 report focused on the provision of an action plan for the next 14 years on the eradication of hunger through sustainable development. It, therefore, presented a Sustainable Development outline that would be instrumental in the vision 2030. The focus of this paper is to provide a comprehensive summary of the publication Global Hunger Index that was published in 2016. It will focus of critical topics discussed such as the model of global hunger index, progress at the national, global and regional levels in the fight against hunger, using viable development goals to achieve zero hunger and policy recommendations.

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The Concept of Global Hunger Index

According to Nabarro (2016), the GHI is a mechanism that was developed to broadly track as well as assess hunger within the different jurisdictional quotas in the world. GHI uses scores calculated by the IFPRI in the evaluation of improvement or lack of progress made in combating hunger on a yearly basis. The primary aim of publishing the Global Hunger Index report is so that awareness can be created on the struggle against hunger. By raising awareness on the issue, the report hopes that it will attract and increase commitment as well as resources that will be used in combating hunger.

There are varieties of expressions that are used to define the form that hunger manifests itself. Nabarro (2016) states that hunger refers to the distress that arises from lack of food. It encompasses the consumption of fewer than 1,800 calories of meals in a day. Undernutrition refers to a deficiency of intake of energy, protein, minerals and essential vitamins. On the other hand, malnutrition refers to the broad concepts of overnutrition and undernutrition. Overnutrition encompasses having an unbalanced diet, which is characterized by the intake of excessive calories with low consumption of foods that are rich in micronutrients.

Based on these three terms, the Global Hunger Index measures hunger using four indicators. One of the indicators in undernourishment that assesses the ratio of undernourished persons as a fraction of the total residents in a country. Secondly, child wasting evaluates the ratio of youngsters below five years who report that they have low mass compared to their height, which symbolizes acute undernutrition. Thirdly, child stunting measures the number of youngsters below the age of five who have low height for their age, which is a symbol of chronic undernutrition. Lastly, child mortality which measures the number of children under five years who die as a result of lack of proper nutrition (Nabarro, 2016). When making its reports, the Global Hunger Index ensures that it incorporates the most recent data available.

Global, Regional, and National Trends

In the developing world, there has been a substantial reduction of hunger. Nabarro, (2016) shares that there has been a 29% reduction in hunger from the year 2000 where the GHI index was 30.0, however, in 2016 the index was reported to be at 21.3. The diminished hunger levels were credited to reduce hunger in all the four GHI indicators. Individually, the declines accounted for 5.4% reduction in undernourished people and child mortality decreased by 3.5%. The rate of stunted children reduced by 1.5% while that of wasted children reduced by 10.6%.

From a regional perspective, The South of the Asian continent and the North of the Africa continent, particularly the South of the Sahara were reported to possess the uppermost GHI scores in 2016, which were at 29.0 and 30.0 respectively (Nabarro, 2016). Even though the GHI points of the two areas have dropped since 2000, they remain to be severe levels of hunger. Fortunately, other regions such as South East and East Asia, East and North of Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Commonwealth States have lower hunger scores that range between 7.8 and 12.8 on the GHI score (Nabarro, 2016). However, there exists disparities between each region and a proper examination of the scores can be examined at the national level.

According to Nabarro (2016), between the years of 2000 and 2016, 22 nations made significant progress in their efforts to reduce hunger. These nations dropped their GHI points at an average of 50% or a greater rate. On the other hand, 70 nations decreased their GHI points by rates between 49% and 25% while 22 nations decreased their GHI points by below 25%. Unfortunately, 50 countries did not make any remarkable reductions and citizens still suffer from high levels of hunger.

Achieving Zero Hunger through Sustainable Development Goals

Nabarro (2016) proposes that zero hunger can be achieved through the use of sustainable development goals. Nabarro (2016) argues that achieving zero hunger requires reinventing co-operation for development that is instrumental in enhancing the central part of development for assistance. He argues that the entire humanity must be engaged in developmental work so that the agenda may receive support from all citizens. In addition, Nabarro (2016) states that attaining zero hunger will occur if the world decides that human dignity should be placed as the most significant agenda for 2030.

An example of a specific sustainable development approach that the reports states can be utilized is undertaking resilient and climate compatible agriculture. Also, the world needs to revamp its approach to crises by stop being reactive to crises and instead focus on building resiliency and capabilities among communities. Nabarro (2016) further adds that of the zero hunger vision is to succeed; it must be premised on the right for every individual to have access to nutrition's and safe meals since it can fundamentally assist in creating an environment for the eradication of hunger.

Additionally, since the causes of hunger and poverty tend to be related and one of the 2030 agenda is to eradicate poverty, implementing the 2030 plan is one of the surest ways to attaining zero hunger. Hence, by foresting collaboration and using efficient technologies, focusing on honesty, accountability, and fairness, poverty and hunger can be reduced.

Policy Recommendations

As previously noted, the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals are highly correlated. Fortunately, the achievement of the zero hunger goal can be accelerated with some policy options. One of the policies is ensuring that there is government commitment to ending hunger. The policy option will involve working with the ministries of planning and finance to provide a funding pipeline to investment plans that can be used to fight hunger. The second policy consists leaving no one behind through by ensuring that national and international policies are inclusive for all persons across all backgrounds. The step will also ensure that there is increased participation of women and other marginalized groups in social, political and economic sectors.

The third policy option involves transforming the world's food systems by instituting innovative approaches to combat climate change, reducing food waste as well as conserving the environments. The policy option also encourages prioritizing agricultural food production and increasing agricultural productivity of small-scale farmers. The last policy option involves holding to account, measuring and monitoring of progress made in the fight against hunger. National governments in conjunction with international agencies should provide support to the collection of reliable and transparent data so that statistical data from the population can be assessed

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 2016 Global Hunger Index shares some critical highlights about the states of hunger in the world. The index measures hunger using four metrics, which are child wasting, mortality, and stunting as well as undernourishment. There has been a substantial reduction of hunger in the developing world. However, parts South of the Asian continent and the North of the Africa continent, particularly the South of the Sahara were reported to posses the uppermost levels of hunger. From a country point of view, 50 countries did not make any remarkable reductions and citizens still suffer from high levels of hunger. The report argues that hunger can be combated using sustainable development goals through the use of efficient technologies, focusing on honesty, accountability and fairness, poverty. The paper concludes by recommending policy options such as measuring, monitoring and holding to account, leaving no one behind, transforming food systems and creating government commitment to hunger as viable policy options to end hunger.

References

Nabarro, D., (2016). 2016 Global hunger index: Getting to zero hunger. Intl Food Policy Res Inst.