Caribbean very exposed to extreme weather events: PAHO Report

Changing patterns of climate variability and extreme weather events are negatively affecting all dimensions of food security and exacerbating other underlying causes of malnutrition in all its forms in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the 2024 Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition. The Pan American Health Organisation’s report, published on January 27, 2025, states that Latin America and the Caribbean is the second-most exposed region in the world to extreme weather events, following Asia.

In this region, at least 20 countries (74 percent of analysed countries) face a high frequency of such events, indicating significant exposure, and 14 (52 percent) are considered vulnerable, as they are more likely to experience increased undernourishment due to these phenomena.

The report states that the impact of extreme weather events is further worsened by persistent structural challenges, including conflicts, economic slowdowns, crises, and underlying factors such as high levels of inequality, lack of access to affordable healthy diets, and unhealthy food environments.

It said between 2019 and 2023, the prevalence of undernourishment increased by 1.5 percentage points in countries affected by climate variability and extremes. Further, the situation is worse in countries experiencing economic recessions, and the most vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected, as they have fewer resources to adapt.

The report underscores the urgent need to accelerate action to build resilience within agri-food systems, which are critical for the region’s progress toward eradicating hunger and malnutrition in all its forms. It emphasizes that ensuring the long-term sustainability of agri-food systems is essential.

According to the report, hunger affected 41 million people in the region in 2023. This represents a decrease of 2.9 million people compared to 2022 and 4.3 million compared to 2021. However, despite regional progress, disparities persist among subregions. Hunger prevalence has increased over the last two years in the Caribbean, reaching 17.2 percent, while it has remained relatively stable in Mesoamerica, at 5.8 percent.

Regarding moderate or severe food insecurity, the region also showed progress for the second consecutive year, falling below the world average for the first time in 10 years. A total of 187.6 million people in the region experienced food insecurity, 19.7 million fewer than in 2022, and 37.3 million fewer than in 2021.

This reduction is attributed to the economic recovery of several South American countries, driven by social protection programmes, post-pandemic economic efforts, and targeted policies to improve food access.

The report also highlights that food insecurity disproportionately affects certain population groups, such as rural communities and women.

FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mario Lubetkin, highlighted the relevance of the Regional Overview 2024 considering that: “Climate variability and extremes are a threat for the stability of food security and nutrition”.

He noted “the importance of implementing a comprehensive response, based on policies and actions designed to strengthen the capacity of agri-food systems”.

Regarding malnutrition, the report states that in 2022, stunting affected 22.3 percent of children under five globally. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the prevalence was estimated at 11.5 percent, significantly below the global average. While the region has made notable progress since the turn of the millennium, progress has slowed in recent years.

“In Latin America and the Caribbean, one in ten children under five lives with stunting. Undernourishment and overweight coexist in the region, exacerbated by high exposure and vulnerability to climate events in the most affected communities. This double burden of malnutrition daily threatens the full development of children,” said Karin Hulshof, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “Any decision on climate action must prioritize the right to food and nutrition for children, women, and families.”

The report also identifies economic barriers to accessing healthy diets as a critical issue. In 2022, 182.9 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean could not afford a healthy diet. This marks an improvement of 2.4 percentage points compared to 2021, meaning 14.3 million more people can now afford a healthy diet.

“Overweight and obesity are growing challenges in the region and key risk factors for non-communicable diseases. A healthy diet is the foundation for health, well-being, and optimal growth and development.

“PAHO positions health as a cornerstone for transforming food systems, promoting fiscal policies such as taxes, public food procurement policies, regulations on advertising (including breast milk substitutes), food safety, product reformulation, and front-of-pack labeling,” said Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO.

“Climate shocks are making it increasingly difficult for families across Latin America and the Caribbean to produce, transport, and access food. Frequent storms and floods are destroying homes and farmland, while drought and erratic rainfall are wiping out crops before they can grow,” said Lola Castro, WFP’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “As extreme weather events intensify, WFP is working with communities and governments to strengthen food security, protect the most vulnerable and build resilient food systems that can withstand the climate crisis”, she added.

The agencies emphasized the need to further accelerate investments and actions to create long-term capacities to address climate variability and extreme weather events.