Government must ensure that no household faces food insecurity
In a groundbreaking revelation, Food Security Statistics 2023, brought by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) stated nearly 22 per cent of households face moderate food insecurity and 0.83 percent grapple with severe food insecurity in Bangladesh.
The report, conducted in collaboration with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), provides a comprehensive overview based on eight key questions and adheres to global standards.
Earlier in July the same year, five UN agencies, including the WFP, revealed that 5.2 crore people in Bangladesh were struggling with varying degrees of food insecurity, of whom 1.87 crore were facing the most severe form of food crisis.
The situation is far worse for the poor, with 46 percent of the untrapoor, according to the survey.
It highlights a concerning trend where one in five households lacks reliable access to sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food.
Remarkably, the Rajshahi Division stands out with the lowest severe food insecurity rate at 0.51 per cent, portraying a relatively secure environment in terms of food stock.
In the Dhaka Division, 16.4 percent of households experience moderate food insecurity, with 0.64 per cent facing severe food insecurity, indicating a more stable scenario than some other divisions.
Rural areas, unfortunately, bear the brunt of severe food insecurity, with 0.95 per cent of households grappling with this issue.
In contrast, urban and city corporation areas are slightly better with 0.67 per cent and 0.41 percent respectively.
These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions in rural communities to alleviate food insecurity.
Delving into the causes, the report notes that beyond income, factors such as the availability and supply of desired food play a crucial role in determining food insecurity.
Based on responses from 29,760 households, the report incorporates data from different ministries and food supply channels, ensuring a comprehensive and reliable assessment.
Despite challenges, there is a positive note in the report, revealing an increase in the per capita daily calorie intake from 2461 k.cal in 2016 to 2516 k.cal in 2021, indicating an improvement in the national average calorie consumption.
We think the report serves as a crucial benchmark and urges policymakers, government agencies, and NGOs to collaborate in devising targeted strategies to address the nuanced challenges revealed within.
It is imperative to ensure that no household in Bangladesh faces the scourge of food insecurity, as the nation strives for a more secure and prosperous future for all its citizens.
