A recent U.N. report focused on ending global hunger highlighted the additional international financing needed to do so.

According to the report, “Achieving Zero Hunger,” countries need to invest an extra $267 billion per year to make the goal of eliminating hunger a reality within the next 15 years.

This is an average of $160 a year for each poor person until 2030.

While that may not seem like a lot, it still gives people living in extreme poverty access to more food and better living.

The report emphasizes the need for a new approach to achieving zero hunger, such as the public and private sectors teaming up and combining investments and efforts. The hope is that, in doing so, those living in extreme poverty will see increases in productivity, which will in turn lead to rises in income.

There are currently 836 million people living in extreme poverty worldwide, half of what the number was in the 1990s. This year, it is estimated that 175 million people will break free of extreme poverty.

Specifically, Asia and Africa are home to some of the world’s poorest people. In the Asia Pacific region, 490 million people are suffering from hunger, around two-thirds of the total number of people globally who don’t have access to enough food.

Extreme poverty is defined as living on less than $1.25 a year. While that amount may be enough to cover the essentials, it doesn’t allow for any savings, meaning it is not sustainable in the long run.

– Matt Wotus

Sources: Rappler 1, Rappler 2
Photo: Al Jazeera