Category: Economic development

Millions of Americans in low-income urban and rural areas lack easy access to healthy food, a problem the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) was created to combat. This public-private program is a critical tool for combating food insecurity and revitalizing communities.

According to the UN, over 700 million people worldwide still face hunger, highlighting the immense challenge of achieving global food security. This reality underscores the critical question: why is it important to have food available and accessible for everyone, everywhere?

According to the World Bank, the prevalence of undernourishment in Pakistan was reported at 20.7% in 2022, highlighting a critical public health and food security challenge. This statistic signifies that over one-fifth of the population is unable to access sufficient dietary energy to maintain a healthy and active life.

Globally, over 150 million children under five were stunted in 2024, a stark indicator of how malnutrition stunts not only physical growth but also the development trajectory of entire nations. This statistic reveals the profound and long-lasting consequences of poor nutrition on human potential and economic prosperity.

The economic toll of malnutrition on India is immense, with some estimates suggesting the total costs can reach nearly 12% of the country's GDP when indirect costs are considered. This silent crisis impacts everything from child development and public health to adult productivity, creating a formidable drag on national progress and potential.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 800 million people, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, lack access to basic electricity, which significantly hinders development. This startling statistic underscores a fundamental truth: reliable energy access is a cornerstone of modern life and global progress. Energy availability powers everything from basic household needs to complex industrial processes, making it a critical factor in determining economic prosperity, public health, and overall quality of life.

According to the World Food Programme, malnutrition costs the global economy an astounding US$3.5 trillion a year. This multifaceted health issue, encompassing undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overnutrition, affects every country and perpetuates a devastating cycle of poverty, illness, and lost potential.

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition is a complex global challenge that increases a country's healthcare costs, reduces productivity, and significantly slows economic growth, particularly in low- and middle-income nations.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately 2.3 billion people globally were moderately or severely food insecure in 2023. Food insecurity is not a singular problem but rather a complex, systemic issue that intertwines social, economic, environmental, and political factors, preventing reliable access to nutritious food.

Almost half of children's deaths globally are linked to malnutrition, highlighting the severe issue of nutrition problems in low-income countries. The factors behind this crisis are not isolated but form a complex web of interconnected economic, environmental, social, and health-related challenges.