What is IPC Phase 4 and Phase 5 food insecurity?

IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) and Phase 5 (Catastrophe) are the most severe classifications of food insecurity in the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification system. These phases affect 41.1 million people globally.

Why does it take less than 1% to make an impact?

Global resources like military expenditure (US$2.718 trillion) and food loss and waste (US$1 trillion) are so large that even a small fraction of these amounts equals or exceeds the US$7.5 billion needed annually to end starvation.

What sources does the calculator use?

The calculator uses data from respected international organizations: SIPRI for military expenditure, FAO/UNEP for food loss and waste, Tax Justice Network for tax abuse, OECD for fossil fuel support, and Bain & Company for luxury spending.

How is the impact on starvation calculated?

Impact on starvation (%) = Annual transferred resources (%) ÷ Annual cost of feeding the target population. The target population is 41.1 million people in IPC Phase 4-5 food insecurity, requiring US$7.5 billion annually.

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Q: How much would it cost to end starvation?

US$7.5 billion annually. This calculation is based on feeding 41.1 million people experiencing IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) and Phase 5 (Catastrophe) food insecurity at US$0.50 per person per day, according to FSIN and WFP data.

We have the money to end starvation.
We choose not to.

Pick a source, see the impact

Military expenditure
Food loss and waste
Tax abuse
Fossil fuel support
Luxury spending

0.00%

Resources transferred

0.00%

Impact on starvation

Combine sources, see the impact

Military expenditure 0.00%

Food loss and waste 0.00%

Tax abuse 0.00%

Fossil fuel support 0.00%

Luxury spending 0.00%

0.00%

Impact on starvation

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The math

Calculation

Annual transferred resources (%) ÷ Annual cost of feeding the target population = Impact on starvation (%)

Target population

41.1 million people experiencing IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) and Phase 5 (Catastrophe) food insecurity

Daily cost per person

US$0.50 (one WFP meal)

Total annual cost

US$7.5 billion (41.1M × 0.50 × 365)

Resources transferred

Value

Source

Impact on starvation

Impact

Percentage of starvation addressed

Starvation

IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) and Phase 5 (Catastrophe). The classifications where mortality exceeds normal levels due to food insecurity. No official combined term exists. We use starvation

Source

FSIN (Food Security Information Network)

About

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The data exists, scattered across reports. We connected the dots. Move the slider. If the slider moves you, take a stand

"We can't afford it"

Yes, we can. 0.28%. Next excuse

"What about logistics?"

The UN World Food Programme has the people, tools and partners to get the job done

"We need to address root causes"

Ask someone starving what the root cause is. The answer is lack of food. You don't debate complex theories on an empty stomach

The tool doesn't argue. It calculates

This isn't a problem without a solution. It's a solution without political will. Every day we delay, we choose the outcome

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