January 29: Nepal has made improvements in reducing hunger with a score of 19.1 in the 2022 Global Hunger Index (GHI), a drop from 21.2 in 2014.    
The country is ranked 81st out of 121 countries and is ahead of some South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. However, it is behind Sri Lanka which is ranked 64th with 13.6 points. India's position has depleted as it fell to 107th position with 29.1 points. Similarly, Bangladesh is ranked 84th with a score of 19.6, while Pakistan is ranked 99th with 26.1 points. Afghanistan is ranked 1.9th with 29.9 points.    
The GHI report was published jointly by the Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe amid a function organised by the NGO Federation of Nepal. The index less than 10 points reflects low hunger, and between 10 and 19.9 moderate hunger. Similarly, from 20 to 34.9 indicates serious hunger, and from 35 to 49.9 alarming. Above 50 reveals extremely alarming level of hunger.    
The aim of the GHI is to trigger action to end hunger around the world, it was shared during the event. The 2022 Global Hunger Index (GHI) shows Nepal has a moderate level of hunger with a score of 19.1 on the GHI.

Nepal has continued making improvements on the GHI scores over the past 22 years. Nepal scored 37 on the GHI Trend in 2000. The score dropped to 30 in 2007, 21.2 in 2014 and 19.1 in 2022.    
Although Nepal has made some progress in reducing hunger, it is not satisfactory, said Dr Yamuna Ghale, an expert on food security. GHI scores are calculated based on a formula combining four indicators—undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and child mortality—that together capture the multidimensional nature of hunger, she said.    
When we look at data of stunting rates regionally, there is a grim picture, she said. Stunting rates vary across the provinces with the range of 22.6 and 22.9 percent in Gandaki and Bagmati provinces respectively, and the figure jumps to more than double at 47.8 percent in Karnali Province. This is not a matter of satisfaction, she said.    
Likewise, children consuming foods rich in iron and iron supplements are low across provinces. According to her, Province 1 and 2 have the lowest percentage in the case of women and children respectively. Women and children in Province 1 and 2 were also found the most anemic in the country, which could be due to less or no iron intakes, she said.    
Cooperation, coordination and collaboration among related stakeholders, ensuring localised, sustainable, inclusive and resilient food system and understanding relevant stakeholders in the realisation of human rights to food could be a way out, Ghale suggested.  --  RSS