Extreme Weather Events Affecting Food Insecurity in Latin America and the Caribbean
74 percent of Latin American and Caribbean countries are highly exposed to extreme weather events, affecting food security, according to new UN report.
Changing patterns of climate variability and extreme weather events are negatively affecting all dimensions of food security and exacerbating other underlying causes of malnutrition in all its forms in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the 2024 Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition. The report, published today, states that Latin America and the Caribbean is the second-most exposed region in the world to extreme weather events, following Asia.
In this region, at least 20 countries (74% of analysed countries) face a high frequency of such events, indicating significant exposure, and 14 (52%) are considered vulnerable, as they are more likely to experience increased undernourishment due to these phenomena. The impact of extreme weather events is further worsened by persistent structural challenges, including conflicts, economic slowdowns, crises, and underlying factors such as high levels of inequality, lack of access to affordable healthy diets, and unhealthy food environments.
According to the report, between 2019 and 2023, the prevalence of undernourishment increased by 1.5 percentage points in countries affected by climate variability and extremes. The situation is worse in countries experiencing economic recessions. The most vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected, as they have fewer resources to adapt.
The report underscores the urgent need to accelerate action to build resilience within agrifood systems, which are critical for the region's progress toward eradicating hunger and malnutrition in all its forms. The report emphasises that ensuring the long-term sustainability of agrifood systems is essential.
The 2024 Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition is a joint publication by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
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