Latest news with #GlobalReportonFoodCrises
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Hunger Free World: Malabar Gold & Diamonds' fight against urban hunger
. Hunger is a deeply rooted global crisis that continues to haunt humanity despite centuries of agricultural advancement and economic development. According to statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, over 29.5 crore people across 53 countries and territories faced acute hunger in 2024—an increase of almost 14 million compared to 2023. This situation is not caused by food scarcity but by food insecurity. According to the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) , conflict, economic crises, climate extremes, and forced displacement continue to drive food insecurity. Against this stark backdrop, the Hunger Free World initiative by Malabar Gold & Diamonds emerges as a powerful and practical response to the invisible hunger haunting India's streets. Launched in 2022 as a grassroots intervention to address post-pandemic food insecurity, the project has since evolved into one of India's largest and most systematically executed corporate efforts to fight hunger. It targets the most neglected populations—those living in the open, in slums, and in unregistered settlements—who often fall through the cracks of government schemes and civil society outreach. Hunger is a deeply rooted global crisis that continues to haunt humanity despite centuries of agricultural advancement and economic development. According to statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, over 29.5 crore people across 53 countries and territories faced acute hunger in 2024—an increase of almost 14 million compared to 2023. This situation is not caused by food scarcity but by food insecurity. According to the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) , conflict, economic crises, climate extremes, and forced displacement continue to drive food insecurity. Against this stark backdrop, the Hunger Free World initiative by Malabar Gold & Diamonds emerges as a powerful and practical response to the invisible hunger haunting India's streets. Launched in 2022 as a grassroots intervention to address post-pandemic food insecurity, the project has since evolved into one of India's largest and most systematically executed corporate efforts to fight hunger. It targets the most neglected populations—those living in the open, in slums, and in unregistered settlements—who often fall through the cracks of government schemes and civil society outreach. The core mission of Hunger Free World is simple but profound: to ensure that no individual has to sleep hungry, especially in urban and peri-urban zones where vulnerability is compounded by invisibility. The project is designed to go beyond emergency relief; it aims to create sustained, structured, and scalable systems for food access in marginaliszed communities. To date, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has distributed 2.5 crore meals across the country and beyond. On average, 70,000 hot and nutritious meals are served daily to people living in conditions of extreme deprivation. Of these, 10,000 packets are distributed in three schools in Zambia. The meals are prepared with strict attention to hygiene and nutrition standards and are delivered through a network of partner NGOs and local volunteers. Each location is monitored to ensure quality, consistency, and traceability—key features that set the program apart from sporadic charity drives. The project began during the pandemic, but its roots can be traced back tolie in Malabar's long-standing commitment to social equity. As the crisis unfolded, field workers began noticing a disturbing pattern: individuals waiting for food who had gone unnoticed by both government and non-governmental support systems. Entire families were living on sidewalks, under flyovers, or behind construction sites. These were people without documentation, without shelter, and without even the means to access ration cards or food subsidies. It was in response to this reality that Hunger Free World was conceptualiszed—not just as a feeding program, but as a long-term intervention to map urban hunger, identify its patterns, and design responses tailored to local needs. . In just three years, the scale of the initiative has grown exponentially. In 2022, it operated in 16 cities and served 17.55 lakh meals. By 2023, it had expanded to 34 cities, distributing 72.35 lakh meals. In 2024, it reached 80 cities with 1.13 crore meals served. Currently, meals are being distributed in 167 centeres across 20 states, with new urban locations being added each month. The initiative is executed in collaboration with carefully vetted partner NGOs, local bodies, and volunteers who help identify true beneficiaries. These include the homeless, migrant workers, elderly people without support, and children living without parental care. The distribution system is decentraliszed to ensure adaptability, and teams on the ground conduct periodic needs assessments to realign priorities and reduce duplication of services. This approach has enabled the program to become both responsive and resilient in the face of evolving challenges. As part of the Hunger Free World programme, Malabar Gold and Diamonds has launched a new initiative called Micro Learning Centres (MLCs). The aim is to support impoverished children who are either not enrolled in school or have dropped out due to extreme poverty. We identify these children, bring them to the MLCs, and provide them with basic education, nutritious food, and essential medical care, —with the ultimate goal of reintegrating them into the formal schooling system. They We have opened 716 MLCs across different states, serving over 32,000 children. So far, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has successfully re-enrolled 9,000 students in schools through this initiative. Importantly, Hunger Free World does not approach hunger as an isolated issue. Instead, it treats food insecurity as part of a broader ecosystem of deprivation. In many locations, meal distribution is accompanied by basic medical checkups, counselling, and access to clean drinking water. Beneficiaries are guided on how to access government services and documentation. This integrated approach ensures that hunger is not only alleviated in the immediate term but also addressed through systemic inclusion. A powerful aspect of the campaign is its emphasis on dignity. Meals are served with respect, and the language of charity is consciously avoided. In several cities, distribution points have become informal community spaces—where those living on the margins can gather without judgment, receive a warm meal, and experience human connection. The campaign also prioritiszes accountability and transparency. With ₹53 crore allocated to the project so far, every rupee is accounted for through rigorous auditing and monitoring processes. Daily reports, quality checks, and beneficiary tracking mechanisms are integral to its operation, allowing for constant refinement and credible impact measurement. The growing success of Hunger Free World has also encouraged expansion into international territories. In 2024, the initiative launched its first international chapter in Zambia, aiming to serve 3.6 million school meals annually. This marks a significant step in taking the model global, demonstrating that corporate-led humanitarian efforts can adapt to diverse geographies and socio-economic contexts. At the heart of Hunger Free World is a deeply human philosophy. As M.P. Ahammed, Chairman of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, notes: . 'We want to send a strong message to society: hunger can be eradicated if people work in unison. We are doing our utmost in this regard. We believe that revolutionary changes are possible if corporations and institutions join hands to fight hunger. Of course, the distribution of food packets offers immediate relief, but it does not eradicate the root cause of the problem. What is truly important is achieving sustainable economic growth by increasing production and creating more jobs. That is the long-term solution. However, with 29.5 crore people facing hunger, we cannot wait for economic growth to reach everyone. Hence, we launched the Hunger Free World programme.' The story of Hunger Free World is one of empathy turned into action—of corporate resources channelled into meaningful transformation. It demonstrates that when business meets conscience, real change becomes possible. In a world where millions still go to bed hungry, Malabar's initiative is not just feeding bodies—it is restoring hope. The article has been produced on behalf of Malabar Gold & Diamonds by the Times Internet's Spotlight team Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Acute hunger continues to rise for 6th year in a row
Acute hunger rose for the sixth year in a row in 2024, pushing millions of people to the brink of starvation and death in some parts of the world's most vulnerable regions, the UN's latest Global Report on Food Crises has said. While Palestine, especially the Gaza Strip, South Sudan, Haiti and Namibia, among other nations, witnessed 'catastrophic levels' of food shortage stoked by conflict, in Southeast Asia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar figured on a list of 10 countries with the largest numbers of hungry people, the report said. The UN warned of equally dire conditions this year due to the sharpest projected decline in humanitarian food aid in decades. In most conflict-scarred regions, children and women bore the worst brunt of hunger due to shortages and food blockades, the assessment released on Friday showed. 'In 2024, more than 295 million people across 53 countries and territories experienced acute levels of hunger– an increase of 13.7 million from 2023,' the report said. 'Of great concern is the worsening prevalence of acute food insecurity, which now stands at 22.6 percent of the population assessed.' The report showed conflict remained one of the top causes of acute food insecurity, affecting around 140 million people in 20 countries and territories alone. Famine has been confirmed in Sudan, the report said. 'This Global Report on Food Crises is another unflinching indictment of a world dangerously off course,' António Guterres, the UN secretary-general, said in a Foreword to the report. In other hunger hotspots, people are experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger, especially the Gaza Strip, where Israel continues to block or disrupt food aid since Hamas carried out deadly attacks on October 7, 2023, after entering Israel. Conflict however isn't the only reason why millions are going without adequate food, the report showed. Economic shocks such as inflation and currency devaluation also drove hunger in 15 countries affecting 59.4 million people, nearly double pre-Covid 19 levels despite a modest decline from 2023, the findings showed. Some of the largest and most protracted food crises were primarily driven by economic shocks, including in Afghanistan, South Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, and Yemen, according to the report.
Sharjah 24
17-05-2025
- Health
- Sharjah 24
Global acute hunger reaches record levels
Continued increase in food insecurity This marks the sixth consecutive annual increase in those experiencing acute food insecurity, as detailed in the Global Report on Food Crises. A total of 295.3 million individuals endured "high levels" of food insecurity across 53 of the 65 countries analyzed. Impact of conflict and other factors UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted that catastrophic hunger is driven by conflict in regions such as Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, and Mali, pushing households to the brink of starvation. He emphasized, "Hunger and malnutrition are spreading faster than our ability to respond," noting that a third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted. Drivers of acute hunger The report identified conflict and violence as the primary causes in 20 countries, affecting 140 million people. Additionally, extreme weather contributed to hunger in 18 countries, while economic shocks impacted 15 nations, collectively affecting 155 million individuals. Bleak outlook for future aid The report warns of a grim outlook for 2025, as major donor countries have significantly reduced humanitarian funding. Guterres stated, "This is more than a failure of systems – it is a failure of humanity." He added that "hunger in the 21st century is indefensible," urging for immediate action to address the crisis.
LeMonde
17-05-2025
- General
- LeMonde
The number of people facing the risk of famine worldwide has doubled in a year
For the sixth consecutive year, the number of people facing the highest levels of acute food insecurity has been rising, while budgets for food aid and development are plummeting. The Global Report on Food Crises, which compiles data from several international agencies (the World Food Program, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), among others), which was published on Friday, May 16, presents a worrying panorama. In 2024, nearly 300 million people in 53 countries analyzed were facing a food crisis − an increase of 13.7 million compared to 2023. Taking into account the sheer numbers, as well as the prevalence, these figures are unprecedented, even in spite of a slightly more restricted number of countries analyzed compared to last year. "Hunger and malnutrition are spreading faster than our ability to respond," United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres wrote in the preamble of the report. While other periodic assessments document chronic food insecurity across the planet, this particular report on food crises focuses on analyzing the most extreme hunger hotspots – often following a "shock" (an armed conflict, an economic crisis or a climatic event) – that require an emergency response. It relies on a food insecurity classification scale that distinguishes five levels before famine.
Business Recorder
17-05-2025
- General
- Business Recorder
Global acute hunger hits new high, 2025 outlook ‘bleak': report
PARIS: More than 295 million people faced acute hunger last year, a new high driven by conflict along with other crises — and the outlook is 'bleak' for 2025 as humanitarian aid falters, a UN-backed report said Friday. It was the sixth consecutive annual increase in the number of people hit with 'high levels' of acute food insecurity, according to the Global Report on Food Crises. A total of 295.3 million people endured acute hunger last year — almost a quarter of the population in 53 of the 65 countries analysed for the report. This was up from 281.6 million people in 2023, according to the report, which is drafted by a consortium of international organisations and NGOs. The number of people facing famine reached 1.9 million, more than double from the previous year, according to the report. A food security monitor warned on Monday that Gaza was at a 'critical risk of famine' after more than two months of an Israeli aid blockade.
