More than 2 billion people worldwide suffer from "hungry" every year.

(Baonghean.vn) - On Monday, June 15th, at the appointment ceremony of Queen Letizia, Special Ambassador for Nutrition, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) once again demonstrated its determination to “strengthen activities to break the vicious cycle” in the issue of malnutrition, especially regarding “hidden hunger” in the world.

The FAO once again demonstrates its determination in the fight against malnutrition. (AP photo)

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 795 million people worldwide suffer from malnutrition each year. Of these, malnutrition claims the lives of nearly 3 million children under 5 years old and 6.3 million children annually. However, a very alarming situation currently exists globally: the increasing number of cases of "hidden hunger"—a deficiency in vitamins and minerals that indirectly affects people's health and well-being.

According to FAO research, more than 2 billion people worldwide are deficient in vitamins and minerals such as zinc, iodine, iron, vitamins A and B. This results in weakened immune systems and increased susceptibility to illness. Studies have also shown that vitamin and mineral deficiencies lead to higher mortality rates, weakened immune systems, and negatively impact mental health, particularly for mothers and newborns.

Researchers note that, compared to the 2nd International Conference on Nutrition held in Rome in October 2014, progress in the fight against malnutrition remains uneven and modest, particularly in West Africa. Furthermore, strengthening food security programs could lead to negative consequences such as reducing the diversity of the food market or causing price increases for certain goods, making them inaccessible to some segments of the population…

Therefore, the international community needs to establish a sustainable food security, nutrition, and agriculture program. Major donors such as the US, UK, Canada, and Ireland need to reconsider their development aid and adopt multi-sectoral strategies in assisting less developed countries.

Chu Thanh – according to Le Monde, June 15