Arshad Mahmood Awan
The year 2024 has been an extraordinarily difficult and challenging period for Pakistan, with escalating humanitarian crises and soaring levels of hunger affecting millions. New reports highlight the country’s grim situation, underscoring the combined effects of climate change, conflict, and global economic turmoil that have left Pakistan in a vulnerable position. One of the most alarming revelations is that at least 1.4 million Pakistani children were born into hunger last year, a staggering figure that positions Pakistan as one of the countries most impacted by the global hunger crisis. This shocking statistic represents the second-highest number of children born into hunger worldwide in 2024, a year marked by widespread food insecurity, environmental catastrophes, and ongoing conflicts.
According to an in-depth analysis by the humanitarian organization Save the Children, the global number of children born into hunger reached a staggering 18.2 million in 2024. Among these, Pakistan’s share is particularly concerning. Save the Children attributes this increase in hunger to the dual crises of climate change and violent conflict, which have disrupted food security systems in countries already vulnerable to such shocks. Notably, approximately 800,000 additional children across the world were driven into hunger last year due to these intersecting crises, with most of them located in the Global South.
Pakistan is no stranger to such hardships. The country has faced a series of devastating events in recent years, including the catastrophic 2022 floods, which submerged a third of the nation, leaving millions without shelter and access to basic resources. The aftermath of these floods exacerbated existing challenges and led to a humanitarian crisis that remains unresolved. Additionally, the resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan, largely attributed to the fallout from the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in late 2021, has compounded the difficulties faced by the nation. The situation has only worsened as the global economy has been rocked by events such as the Russia-Ukraine war, which led to higher commodity prices, further deepening the financial strain on Pakistani families.
Furthermore, 2024 has been labeled by experts as the hottest year on record, with temperatures hitting all-time highs across much of the world. Pakistan, too, suffered from extreme heat waves during the summer months, contributing to crop failures and deteriorating food security. These climate-related catastrophes have disrupted the agricultural cycle in Pakistan, a country where many families rely on farming for their livelihoods. The cumulative effects of rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and the intensification of natural disasters have left communities struggling to survive.
The escalation of hunger in 2024 is, without a doubt, driven by the confluence of two major global issues: climate change and conflict. Both of these factors are inextricably linked and have a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable populations in countries like Pakistan. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the number of children born into hunger has increased by 5% from 2023 to 2024, and by an alarming 19% since 2019. These numbers paint a grim picture of a world in which food insecurity is becoming a growing crisis, exacerbated by environmental and geopolitical factors.
While the global crisis is severe, it is the children of the Global South who are bearing the brunt of it. The sharp increase in child hunger can be traced to a combination of climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and crop failures, alongside the devastating effects of armed conflict. In many instances, the ongoing wars and violence have not only displaced families but have also destroyed critical food supply chains, leaving populations with little access to basic nutrition.
Pakistan’s position in the Global South places it among the most vulnerable nations when it comes to the impact of these crises. The country’s agricultural sector, which is vital for the livelihoods of millions, has been severely impacted by the rising frequency of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, floods, and unseasonal rainfall. With much of the population dependent on subsistence farming, these disruptions have created a dire situation for food security. Furthermore, the ongoing security challenges in Pakistan, fueled by the ongoing conflicts in neighboring Afghanistan and other regions, have further hindered humanitarian efforts, making it even more difficult for vulnerable communities to access the aid they desperately need.
In response to the growing hunger crisis, Save the Children’s global head of hunger and nutrition has made an urgent call for immediate funding and humanitarian aid to address the pressing needs of children and families around the world. The appeal emphasizes the necessity of providing access to food, nutrition, healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and social protection services. The organization stresses that immediate action is required to save lives and alleviate the suffering of millions of children facing extreme food insecurity.
However, history has shown that such calls for action are often met with reluctance from wealthy nations, particularly Western countries, which hold the financial resources necessary to address these challenges. Despite their responsibility for many of the global crises contributing to hunger—such as climate change and military conflicts—Western countries have often failed to provide the necessary funding or support for global humanitarian needs. For example, at COP29, an international climate summit held in 2024, the developed nations pledged a mere $300 billion in climate finance to help developing countries address the impacts of climate change. This amount falls woefully short of what is required to meet the climate adaptation needs of countries like Pakistan, which have been ravaged by the effects of climate disasters.
The situation is similarly dire when it comes to the issue of conflict-driven hunger. The West’s involvement in arming, financing, and enabling wars around the world has contributed directly to the suffering of millions. In countries like Yemen and Syria, the devastating effects of war have led to widespread hunger, displacing millions and leaving them without the means to support themselves. In Pakistan, the lingering effects of terrorism and violence, exacerbated by the region’s geopolitical instability, continue to fuel hunger and poverty, with an estimated two million people directly affected by hunger as a result of conflict.
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For Pakistan, the path forward in addressing this hunger crisis may lie in local solutions. While global assistance is undoubtedly critical, the country must rely on its own resources and innovation to protect its children and vulnerable populations from further harm. Efforts to improve food security, enhance disaster resilience, and rebuild after environmental catastrophes are vital for ensuring long-term stability. Pakistan’s civil society, NGOs, and grassroots organizations play a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of hunger and conflict, even in the face of limited resources.
Local solutions may include expanding access to sustainable agricultural practices, improving irrigation systems to combat the effects of droughts, and bolstering food distribution networks to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most. Additionally, strengthening community-based health services and providing education on nutrition can help reduce the impact of hunger on children and families.
While Pakistan may face an uphill battle, it is clear that the nation’s response to these crises will determine its future trajectory. Pakistan’s people are resilient, and in the absence of global action, they must come together to create solutions from within. Ultimately, local resilience and international solidarity will be key to addressing the hunger crisis that has deepened in 2024. However, the urgency of international cooperation cannot be understated, as the world must come together to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change and conflict, to ensure a brighter future for all.
In conclusion, the year 2024 has been marked by profound suffering for Pakistan, with hunger emerging as a critical issue that threatens the lives of millions, especially children. Addressing this crisis requires a global effort to tackle the interconnected challenges of climate change, conflict, and inequality, with a special focus on the Global South. The time for action is now, and only through global cooperation, immediate humanitarian support, and local resilience can we hope to overcome the devastating hunger crisis that is affecting millions worldwide.
