The United Nations has acknowledged that it previously overestimated the number of hungry people worldwide. A new study shows about 870 million people are undernourished, which the UN calls "unacceptable". While the UN once reported over 1 billion hungry, more accurate data now indicates hunger has improved more than thought, though nearly 870 million still face malnutrition, over 12% globally. Africa especially struggles, with more going hungry there. The UN calls for economic growth and opportunities for vulnerable communities, as well as good governance and political stability to develop conditions to reduce hunger long-term.

1. •The United Nations has conceded that it has
overestimated the number of people
suffering from hunger around the world.

2. • But a new study has shown that about 870
million people are still chronically
undernourished, a figure described as
'unacceptable'.
• A few years ago the United Nations
announced that the number of hungry
people around the world had gone through
the one billionmark

3. More than 12% of the global population suffer chronic
hunger.

4. • But the UN agencies now say that at the
time their datatended to exaggerate the
problem. They say progress in the fight
against hunger has actually been better
than was thought.

5. • But all the same, new and
more accurate figures show that just
under 870 million people
are malnourished today. That's more
than 12% of the global population. And in
Africa the battle is being lost.

6. -More and more people there are
hungry. One of the UN agency
chiefs said that in this advanced
age it was "entirely unacceptable"
that 100 million children don't get
enough to eat.

7. • The report talked of the need
for economic growth that might
provide vulnerable communities with
greater income-earning opportunities.

8. • But, as it looked for long-term solutions,
the UN also spoke of the importance of
good governance, political stability and
the rule of law.

9. • The creation of conditions in which
economies, and education and health
services, might develop in the poorest
parts of the world.