The Global Hunger Index-The HINDU-17-10-2022

GS-2
GOVERNANCE
CONTEXT :
PRELIM AND MAINS:

The Global Hunger Index is a peer-reviewed annual report, jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe, designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger at the global, regional, and country levels. The aim of the GHI is to trigger action to reduce hunger around the world.
About the Global Hunger Index (GHI)

The GHI 2021: India had slipped to 101st position of 116 countries (from its 94th position in 2020).
Objective: The GHI is a tool designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger at global, regional, and national levels, reflecting multiple dimensions of hunger over time.
Published by:
The GHI is published annually as part of a partnership between Concern Worldwide, Ireland’s largest aid and humanitarian agency and Welthungerhilfe.
The first GHI report was published in 2006.
Calculation: The GHI score of each country is calculated based on a formula combining four indicators that together capture the multidimensional nature of hunger.
Undernourishment: the share of the population with insufficient caloric intake.

Global Hunger Index 2021:
India ranks 101st out of 116 countries in the GHI 2021 rankings. With a score of 27.5, India has a level of hunger that is ‘serious’.
India has slipped 7 positions from its 2020 rank of 94.
India is ranked behind most of its neighbouring countries. Their ranks are given below:
Pakistan – 92
Sri Lanka – 65
Nepal – 76
Bangladesh – 76
There are only 15 countries that are ranked below India in the 2021 index.
According to the latest data, India has the highest rate of child wasting among all the countries in the index.
However, India has shown improvement in other indicators such as the under-5 mortality rate, prevalence of stunting among children and prevalence of undernourishment owing to inadequate food.
Way ahead:
It is essential for India to take measures on improving sanitation and fighting related infections.
The children and their caregivers should be trained to follow hygienic practices and take healthy foods.
Inequality in all its forms must be addressed to meet Sustainable Development Goal 2 of Zero Hunger for everyone by 2030.
This can not only improve India's ranking but also render meaningful its efforts on food security.