WFP launches ‘HungerMap’ to monitor real-time food security situation

at 3:28 pm

New Delhi (NVI): In an attempt to end hunger by 2030, the World Food Programme today launched a new tool — HungerMap Live — that will help in monitoring food security in more than 90 countries and issue predictions for places where data is limited.

In simple terms, this will be a digital map to track food-security issues across the globe. The ‘HungerMap Live’ will use artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics to predict and track the magnitude and severity of hunger in more than 90 countries on a real-time basis.

Hunger, malnourishment and food scarcity are some of the serious issues have affected people in the world, especially in third world countries.

Using the latest metrics on conflict, climate shocks, populations and the weather, HungerMap LIVE aims to identify areas that are currently food insecure or are sliding towards food insecurity, says a WFP report.

Where there is limited data available, HungerMap LIVE uses artificial intelligence to supply what have been dubbed ‘nowcasts’—virtually real-time, granular estimates of the food security situation, the report states.

With the IA-enabled digital map, the users will be able to ‘overlay’ information to see how different phenomena are interlinked.

For example, data about conflict can be overlayed with hunger or seen through the prism of disasters or hazards. HungerMap can hone in on how both national and subnational contexts are faring, says the report.

For indicators and metrics, the HungerMap asks simple questions such as, “What do you do when you don’t have enough food or don’t have enough money to buy food?”; and, “Do you know where your next meal will come from?”.

Besides food security, the map will also offer information on other topics like currency exchanges, inflation and nutrition.