Nearly 8 million people suffering hunger in Central America, up from 2.2 million in 2018

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The United Nations has reported a massive increase in the number of people suffering hunger in Central America over the last two years, Voice of America (VOA) reports.

Releasing new data on Tuesday, the UN World Food Program said nearly 8 million people in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua are suffering hunger this year, compared to 2.2 million in 2018, VOA said.

In addition to the pandemic, Central America is also dealing with the impact of two hurricanes that tore into the region in November, Miguel Barreto, WFP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, said in a statement. “The COVID-19-induced economic crisis had already put food on the market shelves out of reach for the most vulnerable people when the twin hurricanes Eta and Iota battered them further,” Barreto said.

Speaking to VOA about conditions in Honduras since hurricane flooding destroyed many homes last year, 70-year-old Marina Rosado said: “We’re eating the little food that people give to us.” Rosado, whose home was destroyed in November, added that she and her family normally collect bottles and cans in the streets to sell, but this activity has been hindered by coronavirus restrictions.

The WFP conducted a survey in which it found that 15% of Central Americans who answered questions in January 2021 said they planned to migrate: this percentage is double what it was in 2018, VOA reports.

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