Global Hunger:
An Introduction
Hunger is a worldwide issue that is highly interconnected with poverty. For those living in poverty, they face food insecurity and are forced to live with lack of access to clean water, health services and education. The United Nations Hunger Report mentions that food security is linked to food availability, utilization and access. Anyone is considered food secure if enough nutritious food is available to ensure a healthy, active life.
While there has been plenty of food produced to feed the global population, as many as 811 million people are still hungry according to Action Against Hunger. Although the world has made progress for a decade, global hunger is back on the rise and affects almost 10 percent of people all over the world, with many being undernourished, especially with the ongoing pandemic today.
Lack of access to food greatly contributes to world hunger. Individuals can go hungry due to a shortage of food supply in their area. A number of countries have an annual hunger season that can last for around three months when there’s no more harvest and the next one is not yet available.
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FACTORS THAT CAUSE GLOBAL HUNGER
Global hunger can be caused by a number of factors, including:
Poverty
It’s the main cause of hunger in the world. No matter the area they live in – urban or rural – individuals who are not able to secure enough income for food would live in extreme poverty.
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Job instability
In countries where the economy is taking a downward spiral, job losses may occur, and what’s available won’t be enough to cover their daily needs. This contributes to hunger.
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Food shortages and waste
Running out of previous harvest can cause shortage of food, and this hungry season can drag on for months in different countries.
Poor infrastructure
With poor infrastructure, transporting food to rural areas will be difficult. When it becomes a challenge to navigate the roads leading to rural communities, it could cause sickness and death within those regions.
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Unstable markets
During periods of instability, the price of basic goods can go up, and not everyone would be able to afford them, especially those who are struggling financially. Families might have to pull children out of school in order to save money.
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War and conflict
When conflicts are ongoing and no efforts are made by the government and authorities to end them, hunger becomes much worse. The members of society who suffer the most are those from low-income groups. Communities and homes can be destroyed, forcing them to leave in search of a new place as refugees, even to neighboring countries.
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Climate change
Climate change presents a great environmental challenge, and poorly developed countries are experiencing the effects.
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Discrimination
Ethnic and religious minorities can be denied access to healthy food if they are heavily discriminated in the countries they live in. These disadvantaged groups can be forgotten by the authorities. Local organizations would have to defend their rights and fight for justice and equality.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO KNOW ABOUT IT
Global hunger is an issue that’s worth discussing and exploring in the world of international communication, given everyone should have the right to healthy and nutritious living. The Borgen Project mentions that it demands worldwide attention because of its regression throughout the past years. Improving food security should boost global health and support the achievement of the sustainable Development Goal of zero hunger by 2030.
With non-profit organizations such as Greater Good, The Hunger Project and Rise Against Hunger, global hunger can be combatted through programs and aids that directly help vulnerable communities, including children who are prone to illnesses and malnutrition.
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