"Hunger denies, wastes, and degrades the gift of life."
~ Edouard Saouma, former director-general of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
Every 3.6 seconds, one person dies of starvation. The majority of these are children.
On October 16, people worldwide will celebrate World Food Day. The purpose of this annual United Nations (UN) day is to raise awareness and encourage action to end global hunger. The theme for 2006 is “Investing in Agriculture for Food Security.”
Of the 800 million people around the world who are hungry, 300 million are children. A common misconception is that the majority of people suffer from hunger due to famine and other emergency situations; however 90 per cent actually suffer due to long-term malnourishment and micronutrient deficiency. [Source]
The Situation in Kenya
Kenya is a country of beautiful landscapes and equally beautiful culture; it is also a low-income and food-deficient country. Several factors increase Kenya’s risk of food security including:
- Low economic growth combined with high population growth
- Very dry lands in the north and east which are prone to drought
- HIV/AIDS
Droughts in Kenya have taken a huge toll on already poor populations as the livestock that they depend on are dying. Children have been most adversely affected by the drought, which has caused children’s health and nutrition to deteriorate. The World Food Program (WFP) reports that due to successive seasons of failed rains, approximately three million people in Kenya will require food assistance during 2006.
Through programs run by the WFP, 1.1 million children receive food at school throughout poverty-stricken areas of Kenya. During times of drought the WFP also increases programs in areas most affected by droughts, providing food assistance to another half a million students at school. Although the primary purpose is to feed hungry children, programs such as this are also used to encourage children to attend school. Additionally, efforts are needed to reduce the burden of HIV/AIDS by providing food support to people who are affected by the disease and their families. [Source]
Facts on Global Hunger
- Throughout the world 852 million people do not have enough to eat. That’s more than the combined populations of the USA, Canada and the European Union.
- Hunger and malnutrition kill more people than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined, making them the number one risk to global health.
- Poor families spend approximately 70 per cent of their income on food. By contrast, the average American family only spends 10 percent. [Source]
Useful Links:
UN Food and Agriculture Organization – World Food Day 2006 website
UN Millennium Project – Fast Facts on Poverty
UN World Food Program – World Hunger Interactive Maps
UN World Food Program – Information on Hunger
