The various forms of undernourishment over the course of a person’s life are connected and affect women (mothers, pregnant women, breastfeeding women) and children in particular. Insufficient and unsuitable food is not only linked to hunger and direct health consequences, but also hampers progress in many areas of development, such as education and employment. The many factors that lead to food insecurity and malnutrition include conflict, political instability or unrest, economic shocks, inequality, unstable food systems, extreme weather conditions, climate change and the increase in pest plagues (armyworm, locusts) that threaten harvests. These factors affect most of the countries in which Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe operates.
The COVID-19 pandemic has already triggered a global economic crisis and has also negative effects on local economies and markets. The sections of the population most in need of protection are the most badly affected.
