If we saw someone suffering from hunger before our eyes we would take action. For many of us though, hunger may be hidden from view or taking place in a land far away so we do not always feel connected to the crisis. In many cases we may not be aware. Hunger often does not make the news headlines.
Right now, there are hungry people displaced by flooding and conflict in South Sudan, some who are hard to reach because of poor roads.
We have heard about the conflict in Syria. That war has also led to a major hunger crisis for millions of people, some displaced inside Syria and others who have fled to neighboring countries. Even if the fighting in Syria were to end today, there still would be an emergency for months to come, especially with the damage to the country's farms.
In the Sahel region of Africa, East Africa, Afghanistan, Yemen and other countries millions of children are suffering severe malnutrition. They just need some food to stay alive and avoid the physical and mental damage caused by malnutrition. Without food societies cannot develop.
Global hunger needs to be part of the public conversation and also that amongst our leaders. How often has it even come up though during this election season? If the public is not talking about it and the leaders are not either, we won’t see powerful enough action against this global menace. You can make a difference there too by just communicating with government leaders about hunger. Get a conversation going with those who are there to represent your interests.
Hunger is the greatest threat to peace and development. It can be defeated though. But it takes a strong enough collective will and that can start with you on World Food Day.
Article comments
1 - Dr. Joseph S. Maresca
In "Food First" by Lappe' , the author explains that world hunger could be cured by migrating the
production from corporate conglomerates to more decentralization very much in the character
of the Truman era "Victory Garden Program" where people grew their own food. Prices for food
came down under the "Victory Garden Program".
Today, we have the technologies to feed Africa through desalination of water and the creation of
more piping infrastructure. To accomplish these things, we really need more cooperative efforts
between and among the African nations, as well as technological help from the wealthier nations.
In addition, desalination and solar energy technologies can be merged.