Climate Change Threatens Food Security in Latin America: UN

Climate change is negatively impacting food security in Latin American and Caribbean countries. According to a UN report, the region ranks as the second most exposed to extreme climate events, following Asia.  

The 2024 Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition, published by the UN, indicates that 74% of the analyzed countries, representing about 20 nations, frequently experience extreme climate events, highlighting significant exposure. Moreover, 52%, or 14 countries, are considered vulnerable due to a higher likelihood of undernourishment caused by these phenomena.  

Mario Lubetkin, Assistant Director General and Regional Representative, FAO for Latin America and the Caribbean, stated that climate variability and extreme events threaten the stability of food security and nutrition. This issue is particularly concerning for countries facing economic downturns, where the most vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected, as they have fewer resources to adapt.  

The report highlights disparities among countries in the region. According to the UN, hunger affected 41 million people in 2023, reflecting a year-on-year decrease of 2.9 million. However, hunger prevalence has been rising in the Caribbean over the past two years, reaching 17.2%, while remaining relatively stable in Mesoamerica at 5.8%.  

The report also underscores that food insecurity disproportionately affects specific population groups, such as rural communities and women. A study by the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) and the University of Cambridge, published in 2024, revealed that in the context of food insecurity exacerbated by climate change, 79% of those affected are women and 14% are men. The report explains that this disparity arises because women are less likely to own land or resources that could shield them from the aftermath of disasters. Consequently, they face greater challenges in receiving aid and assistance, further endangering their livelihoods, well-being, and recovery, perpetuating a vicious cycle of vulnerability to future crises.  

On a positive note, the region showed progress for the second consecutive year in reducing moderate or severe food insecurity, reaching 28.2%, below the global average of 28.9% for the first time in a decade. A total of 18.6 million people in the region faced food insecurity, marking a decline of 19.7 million compared to 2022 and 37.3 million compared to 2021. This reduction is attributed to economic recovery in several South American countries, driven by social protection programs, post-pandemic economic efforts, and targeted policies to improve food access.  

Additionally, the study identifies the lack of economic access to healthy diets as a critical issue. In 2022, 182.9 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean could not afford a healthy diet. This reality contrasts with the region’s status as one of the world’s largest producers of fresh food. According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the region contributes 14% of global agricultural and fishery production. However, 87% of food is exported worldwide, with only 13% remaining in the producing countries.  

In the Caribbean, 50% of the population, representing close to 22.2 million people, cannot afford a healthy diet, followed by Mesoamerica with 26.3% (47.1 million people) and South America with 26% (113.6 million people). On a national scale, INEGI highlights that as food inflation rises, income levels increasingly act as a barrier to accessing a healthy diet, particularly in southern states where average income is lower. According to the National Institute of Public Health, 59.1% of Mexican households lack sufficient resources to obtain an adequate quantity and quality of food.  

Lubetkin pointed out that overcoming this crisis requires a comprehensive regional strategy, based on policies and actions designed to strengthen agri-food systems. “This resilience will enable us to anticipate, prevent, absorb, adapt, and transform effectively in response to various risks, including the challenges associated with climate change and extreme events,” he stated.  

Similarly, Rossana Polastri, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), stressed the need to invest in rural areas so that small-scale producers have access to basic infrastructure, climate information systems, sustainable agricultural practices, and financial products that enable them to cope with extreme events and climate variability. She also emphasized the importance of prioritizing women and the most vulnerable populations to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against hunger.