Food Insecurity Persists In Sub Saharan Africa Despite Efforts To Halve Hunger By 2015

Despite pledges by world leaders to halve the proportion of the world¿s population that is undernourished by 2015, the number of undernourished people in sub-Saharan Africa has increased from 170 million in the period of 1990-1992 to over 200 million in the period of 2001-2003. Since early 2007, food-related riots have occurred in 15 countries, incl. 7 in sub-Saharan Africa, leading both the U.N. and the World Food Program to express concern about the impact of chronic undernourishment, or food insecurity, on world peace and security. This report examined: factors that contribute to persistent food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa; and the extent to which host governments and donors, incl. the U.S., are working toward halving hunger in the region by 2015. Illus.

Food Insecurity Persists in Sub-Saharan Africa despite Efforts to Halve Hunger by 2015

In 1996, the United States and more than 180 world leaders pledged to halve the number of undernourished people globally by 2015 from the 1990 level. The global number has not decreased significantly--remaining at about 850 million in 2001-2003--and the number in sub-Saharan Africa has increased from about 170 million in 1990-1992 to over 200 million in 2001-2003. On the basis of analyses of U.S. and international agency documents, structured panel discussions with experts and practitioners, and fieldwork in four African countries, GAO was asked to examine (1) factors that contribute to persistent food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa and (2) the extent to which host governments and donors, including the United States, are working toward halving hunger in the region by 2015. GAO recommends that the Administrator of USAID, in collaboration with the Secretaries of Agriculture, State, and the Treasury, (1) develop an integrated governmentwide U.S. strategy that defines actions and resources, enhances collaboration with host governments and donors, and improves measures to monitor progress and (2) report annually to Congress on the implementation of the first recommendation. USAID concurred with the first recommendation but expressed concerns about the vehicle of the annual reporting. The Departments of Agriculture and the Treasury generally concurred with the findings, while State identified additional issues for consideration.

Most contributions reflect an evolution of thinking during the 1990s.

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