World Food Prize laureates call for US action on global hunger and malnutrition as elections ignore crisis

As US citizens vote for a new president today, World Food Prize laureates at the Borlaug Dialogue are urging the government to take decisive action against rising global hunger and malnutrition, which affects 9.1% of the world population. 

In a joint letter, the leaders urge the US to “strongly support” collaborative initiatives such as the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.

The laureates were “struck” that even a week before the elections, there was “almost no discussion of world hunger.” 

“The number and percentage of the world’s people in chronic hunger have increased from 581 million (7.5%) in 2019 to 733 million (9.1%) in 2023. This has menacing implications for peace and prosperity everywhere. But past successes show that we know how to get progress back on track. What’s most needed is political leadership, especially from the US,” reads the letter.

However, the US Department of Agriculture this week shared it is entering a US$6 million partnership with the Reinvestment Fund to help communities access nutritious foods. The initiative is part of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which aims to assist grocers, markets and organizations in serving their communities.

Chronic hunger has increased from 581 million (7.5%) in 2019 to 733 million (9.1%) in 2023.Political opportunities

The laureates emphasize four key points for US leadership: supporting the Global Alliance Against Hunger, replenishing the World Bank fund for low-income countries, addressing debt relief in response to Pope Francis’ Jubilee call and considering hunger policy in the upcoming election.

The Global Alliance Against Hunger has been created to restore the reversing progress against hunger and poverty with help from governments that wish to tackle the issue in their own nations. The letter notes the alliance will be supported by the G20 next month at an event led by World Food Prize Laureate President Lula da Silva.

The letter calls for US leadership to replenish the World Bank’s fund for low-income countries next month. Laureates underscore the importance of funding amounts, which will be available over the next three years, being “essential” in aiding countries suffering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, they see an opportunity for the US to lead industrialized countries in responding to Pope Francis’s call for nations to take “bold steps” to resolve the post-COVID debts of low-income countries next year.

Lastly, they address voters, advising them to consider how candidates across levels will affect their community and those overseas who struggle with hunger.

Economic, environmental and political impacts

The letter underscores the deep national debt, inflation, disrupted trade and high interest rates shouldered by several countries that the pandemic has left in its wake. The laureates stress that countries are not investing in health and education due to this debt.

Climate change is another underlined factor damaging tropical countries and the livelihood of farm families. The letter warns: “Famine and near-famine conditions have reemerged around the world. There has also been a huge surge in violent conflicts, draining money and political attention away from investment in a better life for all people.”

Despite this, the laureates say it is vital to progress away from hunger by investing in farm productivity, water management and infrastructure to help get food to market. “We can make sure more of the food that is produced is local, nutritious and climate resilient.”

The Borlaug Dialogue was held in Des Moines, Iowa, US.