UN: 11.7 million women in 28 countries facing food insecurity

Ramallah (ANTARA) - The United Nations has warned that 11.7 million women and girls in 28 countries are facing food insecurity due to the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which have triggered rising food prices and destroyed livelihoods.

In its latest analysis, UN Women stated that approximately 22 million other people could potentially experience food insecurity under a moderate impact scenario, with women and girls accounting for 53 per cent of that figure. This would add to the approximately 208 million women and girls who are currently experiencing food insecurity or malnutrition in the countries covered by the study.

The Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, Neradzayi Gumbonzvanda, noted that countries with the largest populations have the highest number of women and girls at risk of facing food insecurity. Meanwhile, countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, Palestine, and Haiti face high levels of risk due to the overlapping impacts of conflict, displacement, and economic vulnerability.

Gumbonzvanda emphasised that women and girls often bear the heaviest burden during food crises. They frequently reduce their own food portions or go without eating entirely to meet the needs of other family members, all while continuing to face gaps in employment, access to financial services, and economic resources.

The UN agency is calling for an integrated response that includes strengthening food and cash assistance, protection and livelihood programmes, and agricultural support. It also advocates for the distribution of resources to the most vulnerable regions and improved data collection regarding the conditions of women and girls to identify the most affected groups.

Gumbonzvanda asserted that addressing this crisis requires not only humanitarian efforts but also peace and security, de-escalation, and support for diplomatic solutions capable of promoting stability at both regional and global levels.