What is the Global Hunger Index?
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is published jointly by Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide, two non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This report is released to measure hunger at the global, regional, and country levels. The top five countries in this year's ranking are Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Chile, China, and Croatia. Yemen (121) is in the last position.
The score is given after measuring four indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality.
Why are these four indicators used to make this report?
Before understanding why the four indicators are used, we must first understand what the indicators are.
Undernourishment- the percentage of the population whose food requirements are not met.
Child stunting- the percentage of children under five years of age having a low height for their age.
Child wasting- the percentage of children under five years of age having a low weight for their age.
Child mortality- the percentage of children who die before age five.
Undernourishment measures the lack of food access. Child wasting shows high malnutrition, while child stunting and mortality show a child's access to food and nutritional quality.
What is the importance of the GHI?
Hunger mapping is done to ensure that "zero hunger by 2030" is achieved. GHI also aims to increase awareness about the fight against hunger.
It also attempts to draw attention to areas of the globe with the highest levels of hunger and the greatest need for help in fighting hunger.
How did India perform in this report and what was the reaction to it?
India has been ranked 107th in this report with a score of 29.1 (oh no!). The country was ranked behind its neighbours Sri Lanka (rank 64), Myanmar (rank 71), Nepal (rank 81), Bangladesh (rank 84), and Pakistan (rank 99). The GHI 2022 ranking was rejected by the central government as being incorrect. The government said the report harmed the country's image and showed it as a nation that fails to provide for its people's food security and nutritional needs.
The government further said that the report ignores the government's efforts to provide food security for the population, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
So many children in our country go to bed hungry, so we should do our part and try to not waste food.
