The number of hungry people has increased since 2015, reversing years of
progress, according to Jose Graziano da Silva, Director-General of Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

About 60 percent of the hungry people is located in countries facing
conflict and
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change. FAO has identified 19 countries in a protracted crisis situation,
which also face extreme climatic situations such as floods and
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droughts. High risk of famine were recorded in northeast Nigeria, Somalia,
South Sudan, and Yemen, wherein 20 million people were severely experiencing
hunger.

"Strong political commitment to eradicate hunger is fundamental, but it is
not enough," FAO DG said. "Hunger will only be defeated if countries
translate their pledges into action, especially at national and local
levels...Peace is of course the key to ending these crises, but we cannot
wait for peace to take action...It is extremely important to ensure that
these people have the conditions to continue producing their own food.
Vulnerable rural people cannot be left behind, especially youth and women,"
he added.

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