This increase constitutes a paradox, if one takes into account that the region can produce food for almost double its population, recalled the deputy general director and regional representative of that organization, Mario Lubetkin.

The official made the statements when presenting the report Regional Panorama of Food and Nutrition Security in Latin America and the Caribbean, in which the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Pan American Health Organization, the World Food Program and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

“Latin America and the Caribbean are going through an unprecedented situation of food insecurity, with projections that are not encouraging,” said Lubetkin.

He pointed out that the region suffered the impact of a series of crises that affects the increase in hunger and malnutrition in all its forms.

Among these, he mentioned the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, the serious economic situation and the war in Europe, mainly due to the behavior of the prices of oils, vegetables, cereals and fertilizers.

Lubetkin cited a recent report by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, according to which 201 million people live in poverty in the area, 32.1 percent of the total population.

The region registers the highest cost of a healthy diet compared to other geographical areas and 131 million people do not have access to it due to its high prices.

A healthy diet is one that guarantees a balanced amount of fruits, vegetables, cereals, foods of animal origin, legumes, seeds, oils and fats.

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