FAO declares Dominican Republic has achieved zero‑hunger status

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced that the Dominican Republic has reached the zero‑hunger target, with sub‑nutrition falling below the international threshold of about 2.5% of the population. The agency also reported that roughly 41% of Dominicans – about 4.7 million people – still experience food insecurity, and highlighted ongoing challenges such as inadequate housing, limited access to piped water, and reliance on bottled water for drinking.

Bishop Alfredo de la Cruz Baldera of the San Francisco de Macorís Diocese affirmed the FAO finding, stating that while no one in the country dies of hunger, the reduction is largely due to the strength of the domestic agricultural sector and a culture of solidarity among neighbors. He contrasted the Dominican situation with nations facing war or severe economic crises, such as Haiti and several African states, where hunger remains acute.