What is global food insecurity? What is causing it? How long will it last?

What is global food insecurity? What is causing it? How long will it last?

Food insecurity occurs when a person doesn’t have regular access to enough nutritious food. It’s caused when food simply isn’t available or when a person doesn’t have the resources to obtain it, like a family living in poverty. At its worst, severe food insecurity means a person has run out of food for a day or more.


The current food crisis is due to intensifying global events and other complex factors including the Russia-Ukraine war and its resulting supply chain issues, political stability and unrest, inflation, extreme weather and droughts, and the prolonged effects of the pandemic.  
The United Nations found COVID-19 is reversing decades of progress on poverty, and now the ‘perfect storm’ of factors threatens to do the same to world hunger.


It’s impossible to know how long the global food crisis will last, but experts say it could last years if action isn’t taken.

Homepage Banner

Join thousands of people praying to end poverty, take action through our appeals and activities, and be inspired by how God is changing lives.

Get a little Compassion in your inbox with our Prayer and Stories email.

Remember, you can unsubscribe at any time. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.

Compassion UK Christian Child Development, registered charity in England and Wales (1077216) and Scotland (SC045059). A company limited by guarantee, Registered in England and Wales company number 03719092. Registered address: Compassion House, Barley Way, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 2UT.