Zero Hunger by 2030 - SDG 2 We are off target, AGAIN
Authors:   African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Oniang'o Ruth 
Published: August 2024

According to the just released report, the world is still off target when it comes to meeting SDG 2, zero hunger. Hunger affects 1/5 in Africa, 1/11 globally, is on the rise in Africa, remains the same in Asia, while notable progress is being made in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is noted that fewer and fewer people are able to afford a heathy diet, a diet that is diverse in form and nutrients. Obesity is on the rise globally and in some population groups which did not know of it before, mainly because of poor food choices and also adopting foreign dietary habits, and sedentary lifestyles. Anaemia in women is on the rise, meaning their reproductive health and that of their offsprings are affected. The report does not paint a good picture for Africa as it reveals a slow reduction in stunting and wasting. It shows a continent that has been slow to recover from negative COVID impacts. "Financing to End Hunger, Food Insecurity and Malnutrition in All its Forms" is the theme. It is noted that only 25% of ODA (Overseas Development Assistance) goes towards financing food and nutrition programs. Clearly, this needs to be improved, especially following the many pledges that have been made this far. The realization continues to be that serious political will is needed to be able to achieve this. The question is: who is supposed to demonstrate this political will? As I have written before, we have had many global and regional meetings, all addressing world hunger, malnutrition, and micronutrient deficiency. In this report, there is a call to many to do more: donors, both corporate and individual; Governments need to commit more, why? Sovereign nations need to grow their economies in order to serve their people, in order for their countries to participate equitably in building and promoting the world economy. I have enjoyed watching the 2024 Olympics in Paris. In a short span of three weeks, we have seen the best sports competition ever. We see pure human talent. I was a sports nut in my youth but never heard of the Olympics until I was a lot older. It is one thing to have talent, and it is another to have access to showcase it and use it to God's glory, and to encourage others. The report at hand is on how to find resources to finance food and nutrition and poverty eradication programs. Look, without a fairly decent life, no one can make it to the Olympics. How proud I feel when I see the Kenyan Flag on the podium, and the National anthem played all because a Kenyan has won a bronze, a silver or a gold. This time around there were countries receiving their first medal ever, ever since the Games started in 1776 at Olympia in southern Greece and revived in 1896. Some of the athletes come from fairly disadvantaged environments, practice poorly and do not even have coaches let alone experts on programming or diet. What if they had exactly what is needed to make an excellent athlete? Or even half of it? And diet is huge in this case. An athlete needs to build good muscle and to learn how to release energy depending on the sport. Should we not prioritize and adequately fund food and nutrition programs in order to give everyone an equal chance of achieving a healthy body? This report was emphasizing how far off target we are from meeting SDG 2, Zero hunger. We need political will, at all levels. Let us work on it.