Hunger incidence up in second quarter of 2009, says SWS

Manila (27 August) — According to the second quarter 2009 Social Weather Stations Hunger Survey, fielded June 19 to 22, 2009, the proportion of families who experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months rose to 20%3% or an estimated 3.7million families, from 15.5% or an estimated 2.9 million families in the first three months of the year.

The increase was due to the increase in moderate hunger, from 11.1% to 16% while severe hunger remained stable.

Moderate hunger, refers to hunger experienced “Only Once” or ” A few times” in the last three months while severe hunger refers to hunger experienced “often” or “always” in the last three months.

The SWS survey showed that hunger soared 18 points in Mindanao, from 11.7 percent (estimated 1.3 million families) in June 2009.

Meanwhile Metro Manila, hunger increased by five points, from 17.3 percent (estimated 430,000 families) to 22.3 percent (estimated 550.000 families), and by 1 point in the Visayas, from 19.7 percent (estimated 730,000 families) to 21.0 percent (estimated 775,000 families).

Hunger incidence slightly dropped in balance Luzon, from 15.0 percent to 14.3 percent (estimated 1.2 million families). (PIA 12)