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12.10.2015 | Press Release

Global Hunger Index 2015

Armed conflicts remain drivers of hunger

Simone Pott Team Communications

Across the world, an estimated 172 million people are affected by armed conflicts. The new Global Hunger Index show the close connection between conflicts and hunger. Current wars, in which national armies and rebels are involved along with ethnic militias, paramilitary organisations, mercenaries and international forces, demonstrate this especially clearly. Aid organisations have little access to those affected, and a long-term solution is difficult. Countries where war still prevails or has recently ended show the highest levels of hunger, such as the Central African Republic.

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“Conflicts like those in Syria, Iraq or South Sudan are the biggest drivers of hunger”, says Bärbel Dieckmann, president of Welthungerhilfe. “More than 80 per cent of refugees worldwide remain in their homeland or in neighbouring countries. They suffer the worst from the violence and the hopeless situation. Unnoticed by the global public, they struggle every day for food, water and medical care. Only when we succeed in eliminating the causes of armed conflict will we be able to conquer hunger in the long-term.”

Hunger index values have decreased by 27 percent

The new Global Hunger Index 2015 does, however, show positive developments. Since the year 2000, developing countries have made significant progress in the fight against hunger. Overall, the index values for the hunger situation have decreased by 27 per cent. 17 countries have been able to reduce their levels of hunger by at least 50 per cent, among them Brazil, Kyrgyz Republic, Peru and Croatia. Countries such as Angola, Ethiopia and Rwanda, which have experienced bloody wars just 20 years ago, show how the nutritional situation can improve with great efforts.

"Today, we are more confident than ever that we can beat hunger, as long as we do not rest on our laurels”, said Klaus von Grebmer of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in Washington DC. “We need innovative ideas so that everyone can have sufficient food and a balanced diet.”

The Global Hunger Index is published in 2015 for the tenth year and records the hunger situation in 117 countries.

Welthungerhilfe is one of the largest private aid organisations in Germany; politically independent and non-denominational. It is fighting for ‘Zero Hunger by 2030’. Since its establishment, more than 8,500 overseas projects in 70 countries have been supported with 3.27 billion euros. Welthungerhilfe works on the basic principle of help for self-help: from rapid disaster relief to reconstruction and long-term development cooperation projects with national and international partner organisations

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