WORLD FOOD CRISIS
World food crisis…
According to World Food Programme (WFP) the world is facing a hunger crisis. It will be a crisis of unprecedented proportions. Perhaps the largest in modern history. More than 300 million people in the world face acute and life-threatening hunger. Thus far, almost 800 million people on the planet don’t know where their next meal will come from. In fact, today these are terrifying data. The global food crisis we witness is the defining crisis of our era.
So far, the pandemic, economic stimulus, and trade disruptions are driving up food prices. The conflict in Ukraine and climate change create further storms. In fact, food prices are skyrocketing to unprecedented levels. Thus far, refugees and displaced people form the frontline of the crisis. Those who live in camps suffer drastic cuts to the food supply. This is mostly due to funding constraints.
New arrivals
Refugee camps are receiving thousands of new arrivals regularly. It includes the people who lose their livelihoods due to the drought. They have nowhere else to turn. So, those who come together to tackle this noble task, are how future generations may remember us. Hence, judge our efforts too.
It is a mammoth task. Thus far, drought-stricken families require urgent assistance to survive. It is crucial to provide water, nutritional supplements, and shelter to the most vulnerable. Families are taking on enormous debt and selling off what they can afford. They are sending their children to work too. Today, more and more children under the age of five years lack the nutrients to grow and develop. Thus, they experience high levels of stunting and wasting.
Devastating highs
Since the creation of WFP in 1963, hunger has never been such devastating highs. So far, millions of people are being driven closer to starvation every day. The hunger crisis is not isolated to war-torn or drought-stricken countries. There are the most extreme forms of hunger right now worldwide. For example, almost 49 million people are on the brink of famine. It is more than just statistics. There are individual children, women, and men suffering from the dire effects of severe hunger.
In fact, mothers suffer from malnourishment. Consequently, they give birth to malnourished babies. Hence, they pass hunger from one generation to another. It results in children’s cognitive and physical growth being stunted. Farmers have difficulty growing adequate food to provide for their families. Hence, the community suffers without enough food too. So, entire towns leave their homes in search of food.
Sparks unrest
Food insecurity and hunger may spark unrest. People may protest about the rising prices. They may fiercely compete over limited resources. Simultaneously, extreme weather events are often intense and more frequent. Thus far, climate adversities destroy agricultural production. It sends shockwaves throughout the local and global food chain.
To assist the people affected by the impacts of conflicts and climate emergencies WFP delivers immediate food assistance. It provides long-term solutions that address the underlying causes of hunger too. So, together we can help end global hunger perhaps once and for all.
