Social Protection

World Food Day 2024: Ensuring Everyone's Right to Adequate Food

23/10/2024

Celebrated annually on October 16, World Food Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness for those suffering from hunger and to renew the world’s commitment to taking action against it. 

This year was dedicated to the “Right to foods for a better life and a better future", a right that should guarantee greater diversity of nutritious foods available for the benefit of all. The event aimed to raise global awareness about the importance of ensuring everyone has access to a diverse range of nutritious, affordable, accessible, safe, and sustainable foods. 

As of today, over 2.8 billion people worldwide cannot afford a healthy diet, a key factor contributing to malnutrition. Crises such as conflict, climate-related events, and economic shocks further intensify hunger and malnutrition. 

Agrifood systems are especially susceptible to disasters and crises, with climate change expected to disproportionately impact the most vulnerable, including small farmers in developing countries. 

The role of social protection

As FAO Senior Social Protection Officer Marco Knowles explained during two recent interviews with Italy’s RAI News 24 and RAI Radio1 (see minute 13:50) on 16 October, policies to combat climate change are fundamental but unless their social impacts are accounted for, they may lead to social injustice, disproportionately affecting those least responsible for the crisis. In this context, social protection programs can play a crucial role for ensuring that the most vulnerable populations have access to the Right to Food, especially in the face of a changing climate. 

Promoting social protection is essential for achieving inclusive growth and development. It not only helps reduce and prevent income poverty but also plays a key role in ensuring a just transition.