Hard "Hunger Games": Food insecure Batswana reach 36,000 :: Mmegi Online

The latest UN report estimates that about 36,000 Batswana are food insecure with COVID-19 hampering causing unemployment, weakening the economy and adding to the country’s traditionally poor agricultural performance. Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI exclusively speaks to the World Food Programme’s regional director, Menghestab Haile on the solutions

The UN’s World Food Programme’s (WFP) latest research indicates that 50 million people in the SADC region are facing food insecurity. Of these, 78% are in just two countries: the DRC with about 27 million and South Africa with the balance.

By comparison, another United Nations agency, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), estimates that a total of 36,000 Batswana will face food insecurity between April 2021 and March 2022. This figure is marginally higher than the previous corresponding period due to several factors.

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