(TPS) Nearly one million Israelis were hit by food insecurity in 2021, according to findings released on Tuesday by the National Insurance Institute.

Food insecurity is not having access to sufficient food of adequate quality to meet one’s basic nutritional needs.

The Institute found that 16.2% of Israeli families and 21.1% of children do not have enough food. The study also found that of the families with children experiencing food insecurity, 8.5% suffered severely, meaning their lives or livelihood was at risk.

The Arab sector was hit hardest, with a rate of 42.4%, almost triple that of the general population, while 12% of people over retirement age were also impacted.

The report stressed that the study covered 2021, during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, a time when thousands of Israelis were out of work or placed on unpaid leave. But the report also noted that inflation and the cost of living have risen since then.