PAHO joins global fight against hunger and poverty
With the aim of combating two of the world’s most pressing challenges, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has joined the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.
The Global Alliance, proposed by the Government of Brazil during its G20 Presidency, seeks to promote collective action and ensure that countries have the necessary resources and knowledge to develop effective public policies to reduce hunger and poverty worldwide.
Welcoming PAHO’s participation, Dr Jarbas Barbosa, the organization’s Director, underscored the intrinsic link between ensuring healthy lives, promoting well-being, and the commitment to eradicate poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.
“Eliminating hunger and poverty is essential to ensuring healthy lives for all. Equitable access to health is crucial for accelerating the fight against hunger and poverty,” Barbosa said.
In the Americas, Barbosa highlighted a significant barrier – out-of-pocket payments for healthcare services, which continue to drive households into poverty.
As a member of the Alliance, PAHO will lend its expertise to support other members in developing policies related to primary healthcare, disease elimination, and ensuring equitable access to services to tackle noncommunicable diseases, among other critical health concerns.
The organization will also provide technical assistance, capacity building, training, and knowledge-sharing to strengthen the connections between achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) and addressing poverty, hunger, food insecurity, and promoting socioeconomic inclusion.
According to a report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the number of people suffering from hunger in the world increased by a staggering 122 million in 2022 compared to 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, hosted by FAO, will serve as a coordinating centre for global efforts to increase donor investments in poverty reduction and support the development of innovative national public policies to reduce hunger based on best practices.
