Political Causes Of Hunger

According to the U.S department of agriculture, more than 13 million families are unable to buy food at times. A big reason for food insecurity is the uncertainties of life and unexpected events like loss of job. Hunger is not just caused by the natural disasters or crisis but also due to political issues. Some of the political food security issues that affects the community are mentioned below.

Corporate control harms food security

Nowadays, food is treated as a product to gain profit from selling it rather than feeding people. Because of this reason, the community suffers. People buy food products made by large corporations grown on their lands, using seeds, pesticides and fertilizers from large companies. Corporate control on food has forced farmers out of business and off their land.

Until people get food security, hunger will remain the biggest product of the corporations that control the production and distribution of food.

Green Revolution farming methods

Since the green revolution, international agencies and food corporations committed that they can feed the world with improved seeds, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. Over time, they have gained control on farms, lands, seed supplies, marketing and distribution systems. But, they have failed to end hunger and governments failed to end poverty.


Poor access to water

Small farmers do not get sufficient water supply for their crops, which leads to decreased production. It is important to manage soils and preserve water resources. Methods must be protected and promoted by governments agencies supporting people’s right to water.


Loss of land

The main problem behind food problem is that the most of the land is owned by a few people or corporations. Many small farmers are forced to leave their lands and migrate to the cities, or work in factories. They get deprived of land to grow their own food and money to buy it. They become victims of hunger and malnutrition.

If these issues are solved, no child will go to bed hungry.

Factors That Give Hunger Grounds to Grow On

There is no single formula to reduce hunger from world. But, if you know the real reasons behind hunger, then this issue might be resolved. However, you first need to know what these real reasons are. In NYC and other cities, many organization taking action against hunger are working to educate more people about the factors that give hunger the grounds to grow on.

Here are some of these factors:

Natural Disasters

Have you ever had to dealt with a flood or disaster warning? In these situations, families usually go to a secure place, collect emergency food supplies and stock up to avoid hunger problem in case of an emergency. But, imagine being hit by a sudden natural disaster, with no warning. These situations lead to hunger as there are no one is prepared for the situation.

Lack of food combined with a natural disaster can lead to severe consequences.

Agriculture and Infrastructure

To maintain proper food production, farmers need proper training, equipment and tools like plows and tractors. They also need resources like seeds, storage and water system to increase food production. And, all these things contribute to the agricultural infrastructure. But, the scary thing is that in many communities and countries, there is the lack of these items, which leads to reduced food production and hunger issues.

Malnourishment

Hunger and malnutrition are closely connected. Malnourished women are more likely to be sick and have children with severe health issues. These children may lead an unhealthy life, which might affect their ability to work. It becomes a circle of almost no work, which means no money to afford food. It affect them as well as their families.

However, these problems can be solved if each of us decides to fight the hunger and malnutrition, so that everyone can have proper food and nutrition to live a healthy and happy life.

5 Ways to Control World Hunger

Many individuals are working to find one or more methods that will solve the world's hunger problem and may be produce more food. It is necessary to know that hunger the result of poverty and poverty is not easy to tackle.

Hunger problems are not emerging due to the lack of food, but because people do not have enough money or resources to purchase food. Unequal distribution of food is another factor in this. However, here are some methods through which hunger problems can be controlled.

Education: The most important step in solving these issues is to get people educated regarding it. The causes of food shortage are diverse and widespread throughout the developing world. The most common causes are severe drought, land grabbing and exploitation on a monumental scale.

One should learn these factors as well as about the climate change that causes major disasters in countries and affects food production.
   
Donate: How can we stop world hunger with money? You can give some monetary contribution, so that those in need can get the crucial technology needed to provide some fertility in arid land and increase food production.
   
Enable: You can make a difference in the lives of those affected by chronic starvation, by providing funds. If population is struggling to make a living, then investment in the local economy can be an effective way to help them.   

Partnership: If you run a local charity, and would like to expand your reach, then get in touch with those who are looking forward to it. Partnerships make your campaign stronger.

Volunteer: Getting involved directly to end world hunger can be a little daunting. So, you can start from a lower level and choose to be a volunteer. You can provide essential support to the organizations that are helping people suffering from hunger issues all around the world.

You can also speak to the people who are already engaged in the volunteer work and providing aid to those in need to get to know more about volunteering.

Although, there has been a tremendous progress in this direction, there are still many who do not get enough food to live a healthy life. To achieve the complete end of hunger and poverty from world,  everyone’s help and support is needed.

Programs to Eradicate Hunger and Poverty

Malnutrition is one of the world's most serious and least addressed public health issues. Nearly one third of children in developing countries are underweight and malnourished contributing to the increased rate of child deaths.
There are many organizations that are working to end poverty and provide food security.

Even a city like New York is facing an increasing crisis of poverty and hunger. Nearly half of working age in New York who can not afford enough food live in the households where at least one person is employed. To eradicate hunger, certain programs such as action against hunger should be followed in NYC. These programs can be highly beneficial in saving the lives of severely malnourished children.

However, following are some of the programs that can be followed to eradicate hunger and poverty.

Nutrition and health

This program includes methods to identify and help population affected by acute malnutrition. Further methods can be followed to evaluate the cause of malnutrition and the nutritional needs. After this, several other methods can be followed to prevent acute malnutrition. These prevention methods involve providing therapeutic food to patients, and children.


Water, sanitation and hygiene

Malnutrition can not be removed without tackling the waterborne disease. To fight hunger issues, it is essential to determine that everyone has access to safe water. Along with this, it is also vital to promote sanitation and hygiene.


Food security and livelihoods

Food security tackles the root cause of hunger by addressing problems of food production and food access. This program increases people's access to the food sources as well as regular income. This also evaluates the local needs, response to emergencies by distributing food, cash, and other essential items to prevent hunger during an emergency. Providing long-term solutions to hunger problems is also included in this program.

All these programs can help in addressing the malnutrition issue as well as help country reach its development goals.

Types Of Malnutrition That Affect The Health Of Individuals

Besides poverty, malnutrition is another major reason behind world hunger. An individual who is not getting enough food and essential nutrients in the body is said to be suffering from malnutrition.

Malnutrition causes a bad effect on an individual’s physical and mental abilities. These are of many types and here are some of the major kinds of malnutrition –

Protein deficiency - An individual suffering from protein deficiency is likely to face enlarged liver, swelling of the ankles and feet. The protein deficiency is categorized in two types, kwashiorkor, and marasmus.

Every year, numerous deaths are caused worldwide because of protein deficiency.  Children are at an even higher risk .

Micronutrients - Another type of malnutrition that has affected people is micronutrient deficiency. An individual suffering from micronutrient deficiency lacks different kinds of dietary vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iodine, selenium, iron, zinc, vitamin C, Vitamin B1 & D, and more.

Such deficiencies lead to serious health issues amongst people like Rickets, Pellagra, Keshan disease etc and may even cause death in severe cases.

Iodine deficiency - Deficiency of iodine causes swelling of the thyroid gland called goiter. It can also cause adverse effects on brain development, which further lead to mental disability.

The deficiency of the nutrients not only affects the health of an individual but also their children and future generations to come.

A malnourished mother is likely to give birth to a weak child who is lacking some of the essential nutrients. This cycle continues and travels from generations to generations, until and unless proper food or nutrition is provided to children.

Many world hunger relief organizations are taking initiatives to break this cycle and end the problem of nutrition.

They are providing nutritious food to people who are suffering from any kind of deficiency or disease due to malnutrition.

Why Immediate Response After A Disaster Is Important To Defeat Hunger Issues?

Natural disasters are one of the major factors behind increasing world hunger issues. And, the world hunger organizations all around the globe also believe in immediate response when a natural disaster hits a region. But, why is this immediate response important? How can it make a difference in the fight against world hunger?

Here are the details that describe how immediate response after a disaster can play an important role in ending hunger problems.

Complete emergency food needs – When a disaster strikes a region, many people lose their food source and become a victim of hunger. Depending on a disaster’s severeness, it can be days, weeks or even months before their food sources are restored. During this period, these people can become a victim of malnutrition. However, with the emergency response, this problem can be solved.

Focus on those who are in most need – In a natural disaster like flood, earthquake and draught, children and women suffer the most. If attention is not paid to the children and the pregnant women, they can fall victim of malnourishment. In children, it can affect their growth and in many unfortunate cases, may even lead to death.

In pregnant women, it can affect both their own and their child’s health. But, immediate response can overcome this problem and hundreds of lives can be saved.

To reduce the threat of poverty – A natural disaster can cause severe damage to properties and businesses. Many people lose their jobs and businesses due to these catastrophes. The loss of income and its source can lead to poverty if appropriate actions are not taken on time. And, poverty is one of the major factors in hunger problems.

Immediate response is essential to reduce the threat of poverty in a disaster hit area. It is necessary to respond to disasters and complete food shortages, so that the survivors can focus on standing up and trying again to regain their lives and future.

End Child Malnutrition To End World Hunger

Every year, hunger kills more people than diseases such as AIDS, malaria etc. As a result, hunger is becoming one of the major concerns all around the world.

Malnutrition is one of the major causes of world hunger. However, not only poor countries but also many developing and developed countries including America are facing issues related to malnutrition.

Studies reveal that malnutrition is one of the biggest reasons behind the death of children under the age of 5.This means that numerous lives could be saved, if child malnutrition is ended.

Furthermore, the effects of malnutrition are not just confined to childhood, but also severely affect the later life of a person. Children suffering from this problem are likely to face many subsequent challenges in future as well, which may even cause physical impairment as their bodies become more prone to various diseases and infections.

Undernourishment or malnutrition usually passes from generation to generation as an undernourished mother is likely to give birth to babies with some deficiency or low birth weight.

Therefore, ending child malnutrition is very important. This would be a big step towards ending world hunger. Ending child malnutrition ensures that children receive proper nutrition and get proper education. As hunger is also connected with poverty, so ending poverty means ending world hunger too.

Apart from this, if proper measures are taken to end malnutrition, it will make sure that the next generation is free from the problem of malnutrition. Moreover, it is very important for every child to get proper nutrition. This will solve hunger problem for nearly half of the hungry population around.

There are many organizations working to child malnutrition and many of them are based out of New York. If you live in New York and would like to join them in the fight against hunger then reach out to such organisations in NYC and contribute in taking action against hunger.

Only with the combined efforts of everyone can this menace be rooted out and the dream of a hunger free world realised.