[SciDev.Net] Millions of people in parts of Africa are facing record levels of hunger, the UN World Food Programme has warned.
Yet at the same time, the region is rapidly losing forests, one of its most valuable food sources.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the rate of forest loss in Africa has been increasing steadily over the last three decades, with 3.94 million hectares lost between 2010 and 2020.
These forests are not just biodiversity hotspots, they are vital to the survival of millions of people who rely on them for wild foods, medicine, fuel, and income.
The result is a vicious cycle. As food insecurity grows, people turn to forests for survival, increasing deforestation. But as these forests disappear, so too does a critical safety net that could help communities cope with hunger and climate shocks.
In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki investigates why protecting forests is essential for food security across the continent.