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EspañolOut of all countries in South America suffering from malnutrition, Venezuela has experienced the largest increase, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. A new report said that between 2014 and 2016, Venezuela’s rate of malnutrition far surpassed those of other nations in the region.
Hunger statistics have gone up in only eight countries in the region in the last decade: The Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Saint Lucy, Belize, El Salvador, Paraguay and Venezuela; however, it was only in Venezuela that the most significant increase was recorded — a jump from 10.5 percent to 13 percent.
The Food and Agriculture Organization also said that between 2014 and 2016, 1.5 million malnourished people in the region were added to the list, around 1.3 million of them from Venezuela. That’s an alarming figure, and one that demonstrates the the human impact of one of the greatest economic and political crises the country has ever seen.
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In general, FAO and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned of increased poverty in Latin America. According to the organizations, the region jumped to 5.6 percent poverty between 2015 and 2016.
According to FAO Deputy Director Kostas Stamoulis, the noticeable increase in hunger in Latin America is directly related to each country’s politics. Currently, Venezuela is run by socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro. Stamoulis said the the fundamental reason for the alarming figures can be blamed on a “slowing economy” in various nations, which is especially true in Venezuela. The country is reportedly expected to shrink by 12 percent by the end of 2017.
Source: Efecto Cocuyo
