Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty | 20 Nov 2024

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, a new Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty was launched at the G20 Leaders Summit in Brazil to eradicate poverty and hunger globally.

• The alliance is an important step towards the implementation of the Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition 2023, adopted at the G20 New Delhi Summit 2023.
• In addition, India's Prime Minister addressed a session on 'Social Inclusion and the Fight against Hunger and Poverty,' sharing India's experiences and success stories.

What are the Key Facts About the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty?

• About: It is a voluntary coalition of governments, international organisations, NGOs, and other stakeholders working to eradicate hunger (SDG 2), poverty (SDG 1), reduce inequalities (SDG 10), and support other interlinked SDGs.
  • It has three pillars – knowledge, finance and knowledge– at the country level.

• Objectives:
  • Political Commitment: The G20 and alliance members should lead sustained political efforts to mobilise collective action against hunger and poverty globally.
  • Mobilising Resources: Bring together domestic and international support, including public and private funds, for country-led programs in nations facing hunger and poverty.
• Guiding Framework: It will follow a structured governance framework to coordinate efforts, using a reference basket approach to guide country-led actions without requiring the collective endorsement of specific policies.
• Programs and Policies: Its programs and policies include diverse strategies such as:
  • Food assistance and social protection schemes (e.g., cash and in-kind transfers).
  • School feeding programs, maternal and child nutrition, and support for early childhood.
  • Promotion of local food markets, smallholder farmers, and sustainable farming practices.
  • Health and care services for vulnerable groups (e.g., children, women, older persons, refugees, migrants, persons with disabilities).
  • Access to finance, extension services, and agricultural inputs for smallholder farmers.
• Collaboration: The Alliance is open to all willing United Nations member and observer states, development partners, and knowledge institutions.
  • Key contributors include FAO, UNICEF, WFP, the World Bank, and other international organisations.
• Country-level Action: Governments are encouraged to implement policies that enhance social protection, food security, and nutrition, aligned with SDGs, and contribute to the broader global sustainability agenda.
• Vulnerable Populations: The Alliance emphasises addressing the needs of vulnerable groups, including women, children, indigenous peoples, local communities, refugees, migrants, and persons with disabilities.
  • Special attention is given to increasing adaptation financing for the Agriculture, Forestry, and Land Use (AFOLU) sector, vital for the livelihoods of poor households and smallholder farmers.
• Indigenous Knowledge: Indigenous production practices, including growing traditional crops like millets, quinoa, and sorghum, are essential to developing healthier and more resilient food systems.

What is the Financing Mechanism of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty?

• Mobilising Resources: Innovative financing approaches like blended financing, concessional co-financing, and partnerships are encouraged to support a country's implementation of policies.
  • Blended financing combines concessional funds (low-interest or grants) with non-concessional funds (market-based financing).
  • Concessional co-finance is below-market-rate finance provided by major financial institutions.
• Official Development Assistance (ODA): Developed countries are urged to fully honour their ODA commitments to address the needs of countries facing high levels of poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.
• Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs): It supports boosting the financial capacity of MDBs, including the International Development Association (IDA), the largest source of international finance for addressing poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.
  • Mobilisation of new resources and encouraging donor pledges to institutions such as the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) are encouraged.
• Special Drawing Rights (SDRs): It encourages the voluntary rechanneling of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to support countries in need while respecting legal frameworks and the reserve asset status of SDRs.

What is the Need for the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty?

• Escalating Poverty and Hunger: In 2022, approximately 712 million people lived in extreme poverty—23 million more than in 2019—with the highest rates in the poorest countries.
  • In 2023, 733 million people faced hunger, and 148 million children under five suffered from stunting (low height-for-age).
• Increasing Financing Gaps: The widening gaps in financing for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 1 (no poverty) and 2 (zero hunger), highlight the urgent need for additional resource mobilisation.
  • A global alliance can bridge the resource gap with innovative financing, international cooperation, and equitable resource allocation.
• Gender-Based Food Insecurity: 26.7% of women worldwide were food insecure, compared to 25.4% of men, showing a gender gap worldwide.
• Insufficient Responses: Ineffective policies, inadequate social protection, and limited resources continue to worsen hunger and malnutrition, leaving vulnerable populations without sufficient means to access adequate food and healthy diets.
• Economic Impact of Poverty: Poverty, hunger, and malnutrition impose major economic costs on households, health systems, and national economies, particularly in developing countries.
  • This cycle lowers productivity, hampers sustainable growth, and deepens social and economic inequalities.
• Crisis Among Vulnerable: Rising acute food insecurity, humanitarian crises, and fragile states call for improved crisis prevention, preparedness, and resilience.
  • A global alliance can enable targeted investments and coordinated responses to protect vulnerable populations.

What are India's Progress on Hunger and Poverty Alleviation?

• Poverty Alleviation: Between 2014-2024, India lifted 250 million people out of poverty.
• Food Security: Over 800 million people are being given food grains free of cost.
• Health Insurance: 550 million people are benefiting from the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PM-JAY).
  • 60 million senior citizens, over the age of 70, will also be able to benefit from free health insurance.
• Financial and Social Inclusion: Over 300 million women micro-entrepreneurs have been linked to banks and given access to credit.
• Farmer Support: Under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), over 40 million farmers have received benefits worth 20 billion US dollars.
  • Under PM-KISAN, assistance worth over 40 billion dollars has been given to 110 million farmers.
  • India has developed over 2000 climate-resilient crop varieties.
• Nutritional Focus: The Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 campaign focuses on nutrition for pregnant women, newborn babies, children under the age of 6, and adolescent girls.
  • Through the Mid Day Meal scheme, special attention is being paid to the nutritional needs of school-going children.
• Global Contributions to Food Security: Recently, India has provided humanitarian assistance to Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Conclusion

The launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty marks a significant step toward achieving SDG 1 and SDG 2 globally. By integrating innovative financing, coordinated efforts, and inclusive policies, it aims to address poverty, hunger, and malnutrition, with a focus on vulnerable populations, gender equity, and sustainable agriculture.