A new study reveals that the price tag to eliminate hunger has almost doubled due to ‘lost years’

The study, “Cost of Ending Hunger—Consequences of Complacency and Financial Needs for SDG2 Achievement,” has shed light on the true cost of the COVID-19 pandemic and other recent unprecedented disruptions, like the war in Ukraine and the climate change-induced impacts devastating the Horn of Africa and South Asia, on attaining food security. The study has been compiled by Joachim von Braun, Bezawit Beyene Chichaibelu, David Laborde and Maximo Torero Cullen, as part of the ZEF-Discussion Papers on Development Policy.

Building on the insights from this study, the policy brief “Ending Hunger by 2030," urgently appeals for action to be taken at the global level, for the set-up of strong finance agendas, to foster science-policy dialogue, to enhance national capacities, and to build on existing initiatives. These are not just recommendations but crucial steps to get the world back on track to achieving SDG 2 – zero hunger.