In Europe and North America, the toll of hungry people mushroomed for the first time since the UN started off by collecting data in 2014, according to the Global Network Against Food Crises.

According to published figures, nearly 9% of people in those two regions faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2020, compared to 7.7% in the previous period.

In this food poverty situation in rich countries are the sole traders who are often not covered by unemployment insurance and sickness benefit schemes, according to the Network.

pgh/Pll/oda / crc