NEPAD launches a global hunger index report

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By CGTN's Jerry Owilli

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has launched a global hunger index report, ahead of the 29th African Union Summit.

Findings indicate there is slow progress in the reduction of hunger on the continent.

Experts warned it is highly unlikely the African Union’s target of eradicating hunger by 2025 will be realized. They cited the lack of an implementation of already passed resolutions as a huge setback.

The hunger index is classified into five grades in severity scale: Low, moderate, serious, alarming, and extremely alarming.

Girls stand in line for food aid in Mogadishu, Somalia. /VCG Photo

Only three African countries, namely Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, achieved a low level of hunger. 28 countries fell under the “serious level of hunger”, and five countries under “alarming”, which include Sierra Leone, Madagascar, Zambia, Chad, and the Central African Republic.

The report stated African countries ought to take measures to prevent food loss, such as integrating actions with national agriculture investment plans.

The report also noted the high cost of reactive malnutrition measures. For example, Malawi is spending up to 10% of its GDP on addressing the effects of malnutrition.

The 29th ordinary session of the African Union will begin on Monday and many heads of states and governments from the continent have confirmed their attendance.