World Hunger Just Worsened
For many people around the world, the basic aim of life is to ‘live another day’. Africa and south-east Asia has been experiencing a series of earthquakes, floods, droughts and typhoons which left millions homeless and starving. This food crisis is not just limited to the millions in south-east Asia and Africa, but also to countless number of people in over 20 countries.
Last year, due to the food riots in 20 different countries, the World Food Programme (WFP) has received a total record donation of $5bn from rich countries around the world. But now, the donations have hit a 20-year low with $2.7bn in donations. The US, which is so far the biggest donator for the WFP has donated $800m less than last year. Saudi Arabia has donated this year only $10m which is extremely low compared to the $500m donation last year. The European Union has donated $130m less than last year. Britain has donated $69m this year, which is about $100m less than their donation last year.
Ms. Josette Sheeran, head of WFP, quoted this as “loss of a generation”. According to Ms. Sheeran, even if looked under the best of circumstances the WFP will still be $2bn short by the end of the year.
Another fact is that the food rates are higher than last year in 80% of the countries. The crisis has not ended with 150 million more people suffering from hunger every year. Ms. Sheeran describes this as “a silent tsunami” and that “this is the worst food crisis since the 1970s”.
The current number of child deaths due to hunger is 16,000 children per day. This is a global crisis. In the thousands of dying children, there may be many who can become Einsteins and Mandelas.
Let us help today to save tomorrow. My sincere request to the world is to help the WFP in their righteous quest to a hunger-free world.
