World Hunger Essay: Causes of World Hunger & How to Solve It

World hunger essay introduction, history of world hunger, statistics of the world hunger, causes of the world hunger, impacts of world hunger, responses to world hunger, recommended solutions, world hunger essay conclusion.

World hunger is one of the best topics to write about. You can discuss its causes, how to solve it, and how we can create a world without hunger. Whether you need to write an entire world hunger essay or just a conclusion or a hook, this sample will inspire you.

Hunger is a term that has been defined differently by different people due to its physiological as well as its socio economic aspects. In most cases, the term hunger has been defined in relation to food insecurity. However, according to Holben (n. d. pp. 1), hunger is usually defined as a condition that is painful or uneasy emanating from lack of food.

In the same studies, hunger has yet been defined as persistent and involuntary inability to access food. Therefore, world hunger refers to a condition characterized by want and scarce food in the whole world. Technically, hunger refers to malnutrition a condition that is marked by lack of some, or all the nutrients that are necessary to maintain health of an individual.

There are two types of malnutrition which include micronutrient deficiency and protein energy malnutrition. It is important to note that world hunger generally refers to protein energy malnutrition which is caused by inadequacy of proteins and energy giving food. According to World Hunger education Service (2010 Para. 4), the recent statistics by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) records that there is a total of about nine hundred and twenty five million people in the whole world who are described as hungry.

It is a serious condition since statistics indicate that the number has been on the increase since the mid twentieth center. With that background in mind, this paper shall focus on the problem of world hunger, history, statistics, impacts as well as solutions to the problem.

The problem of hunger has been persistent since early centuries given that people residing in Europe continent used to suffer from serious shortages of food. The problem intensified in the twentieth century due to increase of wars, plagues and other natural disasters like floods, famines and earth quakes. Consequently, a lot of people succumbed to malnutrition and death.

However, during the mid twentieth century and after the Second World War, food production increased by 69% and therefore, there was enough food to feed the population by (National Research Council (U.S.) Committee on Public Engineering Policy, 1975 pp. vii).

The situation of food adequacy which continued from the year 1954-1972 was as a result of various factors which were inclusive but not limited to better methods of farming, land reclamation, use of fertilizers, use of irrigation, as well as use of machines and other forms of skilled labor.

In 1970s, people thought that they could keep the problem of hunger under control by conserving environment, controlling population growth and technological development. Nevertheless, even with such optimism, studies of National Research Council (U.S.).

Committee on Public Engineering Policy (1975 pp. vii), record that by 1974, the condition had already grown out of hand because there was not only a high population growth rate, but energy was also extremely expensive. To make the matter worse, the same study records that a quarter of the total population in the world were already experiencing hunger.

Therefore, due to hunger, agencies which were dealing with the problem started to request for the intervention of the humanitarian relief as well as trying to solve the problem thorough the use of the green revolution. The problem of hunger contributed greatly to the technological development since by all costs, people had to survive. However, although agriculture continued to expand, the population continued to increase and that is why the problem of hunger has persisted throughout the twentieth century to the twenty first century.

As highlighted in the introductory part, nine million people in the world are malnourished but further studies indicate that the exact number is not known. It is important to note that though the problem of hunger is virtually everywhere in the world, most of the hunger stricken people are found in the developing countries.

Despite the fact that the number has been on the increase since 1995, a decrease was observed in last year. The figures below clearly explain the statistical trend of world hunger from 1968 to 2009 (World Hunger Education Service, 2010 Para. 4).

Figure 1. The Number of Hunger Stricken People from 1969-2010

The Number of Hunger Stricken People from 1969-2010

Source (World Hunger Education Service, 2010)

Figure 2: Distribution of Hungry People in the Whole World by Regions

Distribution of Hungry People in the Whole World by Regions

Source: (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2010 pp. 2)

The above figure clearly illustrates that the problem of hunger is most common in the developing countries and less common in the developed countries. According to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2010 pp. 2), 19 million are found in developed countries, thirty seven million in North East and North Africa, fifty three in Latin and Caribbean America, two hundred and thirty nine million in Sub Saharan Africa and five hundred and seventy eight in Asia and Pacific Region.

However, it is important to mention that the Food and Agriculture Organization arrives at the above figures by considering the total income of people and the income distribution. Therefore, the figures given are just estimates and that is the main reason why it has become increasingly difficult to get the actual number of hungry people in the whole world.

There are many causes of world hunger but poverty is the main and the same is caused by lack of enough resources as well as unequal distribution of recourses among the populations especially in the developing countries.

According to World Hunger Education Service (2010 Para 10. ), World Bank estimates that there are a bout one million, three hundred and forty five million people who are poor in the whole world since their daily expenditure is 1.25 dollars or even less. Similarly, Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that about one billion people in the whole world are under nourished.

As expected, the problem of poverty affects mostly the developing countries although there have been a lot of campaigns which have been launched with an aim of poverty reduction. Consequently in some parts Asia and China, the campaigns have been successful because the number has reduced by 19% (World Hunger Education Service, 2010 para. 12). Conversely, in some parts like the sub-Saharan Africa, the number of poor people has gone up.

Since the study has indicated that poverty is the main cause of hunger, it is important to look at the underlying cause of poverty. According to World Hunger Education Service (2010), the current economic as well as political systems in the world contribute greatly to the problem of hunger and poverty.

The main reason is due to the fact that more often than not, resources are controlled by the economic and political institutions which are controlled by the minority. Therefore, policies which emanate from poor economic systems are contributory factor to poverty and hunger.

Conflict and war is an important cause of not only poverty but also hunger. The main reason is due to the fact that conflicts lead to displacement of people and destruction of property and other resources that can be helpful in alleviating hunger. Towards the end of 2005, the number of refugees was lower compared to the current number influenced by violence and conflicts which have been taking place in Iraq as well as in Somali.

The same study clearly indicates that towards the end of the year 2008, UNHCR had recorded more than ten million refugees. A year after, internally displaced persons in the whole world had reached a total of twenty six million (World Hunger Education Service 2010 par 13). However, although it is difficult to provide the total number of internally displaced people due to conflicts, the truth is, refugees mostly suffer from poverty which exposes them to extreme hunger.

Over the last century, climate has been changing in most parts of the world, a condition which has been caused by global warming. It is a real phenomena and the effects of the same are observed in most parts of the world which are inclusive but not limited to draughts, floods, changing weather and climatic patterns as well as hurricanes (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Economic and Social Dept, 2005).

Such effects of globalization contribute greatly to hunger because they destroy the already cultivated food leading to food shortages.

Changing weather and climate patterns require a change to certain crops which is not only expensive but it also takes long to be implemented. In addition, some plants and animals have become extinct and the same contributes greatly to food shortages and hunger in general. Nonetheless, the most serious consequences of global warming are floods draughts and famines since they lead to poverty which ends up increasing people’s susceptibility to hunger. ( Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2010)

High food prices in both domestic and international markets are also a contributory factor to world hunger. Although the level of poverty is increasing because the level of income has reduced, the price of various food commodities has also gone up and therefore, it has become increasingly difficult for people to afford adequate food for their needs.

According to the studies of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2008 pp. 24), between the year 2002 to 2007, prices of cereals such as wheat maize as well as rice increased by about fifty percent in the world market.

Nonetheless, although the world market food prices were increasing, the rate was different with domestic prices, a condition caused by the depreciating value of the US dollar while compared to other currencies in the world. However, in the year 2007 and 2008, domestic food prices in most countries also ended up increasing.

High prices in the domestic market are caused by high prices for agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. As highlighted earlier, the need for use of advanced agricultural inputs results from the effects of global warming which is also a chief cause of world hunger and food insecurity.

There are many impacts of world hunger because food is a basic need for everyone in the society. Although impacts of hunger affect people across all the age brackets, young children are usually the worst victims. In science, the condition caused by hunger and starvation is known as under nutrition. It increases the disease burden such that in one year; under nourished children suffer from illnesses for at least five months as the condition lowers their immunity.

In most cases, undernourishment is the underlying cause of various diseases that affect children like malaria, measles, diarrhea and pneumonia. Studies of World Hunger Education Service (2010 par. 10) indicate that malnutrition is the underlying cause of more than half of all the cases of malaria diarrhea and pneumonia in young children. In measles, the same studies indicate that forty five percent of all the cases result from malnutrition.

As the problem of hunger, malnutrition is unequally distributed in the world because about thirty two percent of the stunted children live in the developing countries. Seventy percent of the total number of the malnourished children is found in Asia while Africa hosts 26% and the remaining four percent are from Caribbean and Latin America (World Hunger Education Service, 2010 par 11).

The study points out that the problem starts even before birth because in most cases, pregnant mothers are also usually undernourished. Due to this problem, in every six infants, one is usually undernourished. Apart from death, under nourishment resulting from hunger also causes blindness, difficulties in learning, stunted growth, retardation and poor health, to name just a few.

Apart from disease, poverty is also a resultant factor of hunger. In reference to the definition of hunger as an uncomfortable condition resulting from lack of food, hungry people are usually incapacitated. Since food is an important source of energy, people suffering from hunger are usually not in a position to take part in useful economic activities and a result, they are usually poor.

In addition, hunger is one of the reasons that cause people to migrate from one place to another there by causing economic constraints to the host countries. Conflicts also emanate from the same as people compete for scarce resources. A lot of humanitarian agencies use most of their funds in proving food to the people suffering from hunger either in refugee camps or in other places.

As a result, governments spend a lot of money in providing humanitarian support while the same amount of money could have been used in development projects. Impacts of hunger are mostly felt in the developing countries, Asia and Sub Saharan Africa because in most cases, the problem of hunger in such regions is usually an international problem because regional governments cannot be able to deal with it single handedly ( World Vision, 2010).

Hunger being a serious problem requires no emphasis and therefore, there are some responses which are meant to mitigate the problem. Various policies have therefore been established in all related areas. For example, there are various policies that that have been established to regulate high food prices. Such measures are inclusive but not limited to tax on imports, restricting export to maintain adequate food in the country, measures to control prices of food as well as to enhance food affordability, and stabilizing prices.

Improving and increasing agricultural produce is an important measure that has been taking place especially in the developing countries meant to increase supply and eventually curb the problem of hunger. At this point, is important to note that the number of response which have be taken to reduce or eliminate the problem of hunger vary from one region to another.

In addition, every region implements the policies that can be useful in that particular region. According to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2010 pp.32 ), a survey conducted in the year 2007 and 2008 indicated that about 50% of all the countries reduced the tax of imports on cereals and more than fifty percent adopted measures like consumer subsidies with an aim of lowering domestic food prices.

Twenty five percent of the countries imposed restrictions on exports to minimize the outflow of food and the remaining 16% had done nothing to solve the problem of high domestic food prices. It is quite unfortunate that the regions that are mostly affected by hunger like Sub Saharan Africa; Caribbean as well Latin America has established the lowest number of policies.

Although such policies are of great help locally, they have negative impacts in the international markets. For example, due to restriction on exports, the supply of food at the international markets is usually low and as a result, the prices end up increasing. Apart from that, subsidies on imports increase government expenditure thereby straining the budget.

Therefore, it is clear that some measures of price do not control neither they end up mitigating the problem since they affect other people like farmers and traders. The main cause of the problem is due to the fact that most governments are unable to protect their economy from external influences.

While looking for the solutions to the problem, it is important to note that the demand of food will continue to increase due to various factors like urban growth and development as well as the high level of income. In that case, there is a great need for increasing food production.

In addition, the intervention should aim at not only solving the current problem but also solving any shortage that may emerge in future. Therefore, all regions and especially the sub-Saharan Africa ought to focus on increasing agricultural production. Moreover, it is necessary to come up with appropriate policies to ensure that the increase in food production will solve the problem of food insecurity (National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Public Engineering Policy, 1975).

One of the problems that have been causing hunger especially in developing countries is inaccessibility to adequate food. As a result, the concerned stakeholders should look for ways and means of increasing food accessibility. For instance; it would be more helpful if the production of small scale farmers could increase because the problem cannot only help in lowering food prices in the global market but also in alleviating poverty and hunger in the rural areas.

Although incentives and agricultural inputs are important in increasing agricultural production in the rural areas, some other measures can still be used in the same areas. For instance, in a region like Africa, more areas can be irrigated and by so doing, agricultural production can increase as well ( Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2010).

World hunger is a real and a serious problem not only due to its grave impacts but also due to the complexity of the whole issue. A lot of people in the whole world are exposed to hunger. A critical analysis of the problem illustrates that it not only results from low food production but it is also affected by other factors such as inaccessibility of food, high food prices and some policies established by the government.

For example, the research has indicated that some polices that control the prices of food in local markets end up increasing food prices in the global market. In the view of the fact that hunger is the underlying cause of poverty, disease and eventually death, it is important for the concerned stake holders to address the issue accordingly.

As the studies of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, (2008, p. 2) indicate, the over nine million hunger stricken people can be saved only if the stake holders that are inclusive of the government, United Nations, civil societies, donors and humanitarian agencies, general public and the private sector can join hands in combating the problem.

In order to come up with lasting solutions, their efforts should be aimed at improving the agricultural sector and establishing safety nets to protect the vulnerable population. Finally, in every challenge, there is an opportunity and in that case, the high prices of food can be used as an opportunity by small scale producers to increase their produce and get more returns and thereby reduce problems like poverty which contribute to hunger. Therefore, even though the problem is complicated, viable solutions still exist.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2010). Global hunger declining, but still unacceptably high . Web.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2008). The State of Food Insecurity in the World . Web.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Economic and Social Dept. (2005). The state of food insecurity in the world, 2005: eradicating world hunger – key to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. New York: Food & Agriculture Org.

Holben, D. H. (n. d.). The Concept and Definition of Hunger and Its Relationship to Food Insecurity . Web.

National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Public Engineering Policy. ( 1975). World hunger: approaches to engineering actions : report of a seminar. Washington: National Academies.

World Hunger Education Service . (2010). World Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics 2010 . Web.

World Vision. (2010). The Global Food Crisis . Web.

Young, L. (1997). World hunger. London: Routledge.

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World Hunger: Causes, Effects, and Solutions

In this blog post, we explore the causes and effects of world hunger, as well as how we can stop it. Learn more about the impact of poverty, climate change, conflict, and economic factors on food security and find out how targeted interventions can help reduce world hunger and malnutrition.

Why care about world hunger? Because hunger is a basic human need that everyone deserves to satisfy. Yet too many people around the world suffer regularly from hunger. According to the World Food Programme, more than 345 million people are facing high levels of food insecurity this year. That’s more than the population of the United States!

So where does hunger stem from and what can be done to alleviate its effects? Let’s dive in. 

What is World Hunger?

World hunger refers to the chronic and widespread lack of access to enough nutritious food among populations worldwide. It is a complex problem that affects people of all ages and genders.

The Scope of World Hunger

World hunger affects hundreds of millions of people in different regions, with sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia being the most affected areas. Although most widespread in low-income countries, hunger also affects developed countries, where poverty and inequality persist.

What are the Causes of World Hunger?

What is the number one cause of world hunger: poverty and inequality.

According to the United Nations , “Hunger is increasing in many countries where economic growth is lagging, particularly in middle-income countries and those that rely heavily on international primary commodity trade.” Poverty and inequality are among the leading causes of world hunger. Even though the world produces enough food for our global population, it can be out of reach for people living in poverty either because it quite literally doesn’t reach their community or because they can’t afford a diet with adequate nutrients. They are also more vulnerable to the effects of economic downturns and natural disasters , which can further exacerbate hunger.

Climate Change and Environmental Degradation

Climate change and environmental degradation , including deforestation and soil degradation , significantly impact food production and availability. Additionally, severe weather events like droughts and floods can decimate crops and contribute to food shortages. According to the World Food Programme, 1.7 billion people have been affected by extreme weather and climate-related disasters over the past decade.  

Conflict and Displacement

Conflict and displacement are significant causes of world hunger, especially in regions affected by wars and civil unrest. Marie Haga, the Associate Vice-President of External Relations and Governance the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development notes that, “conflict is the main driver of hunger in most of the world’s food crises.” Conflict disrupts food production, distribution, and access, leading to widespread hunger and malnutrition.

Economic Factors

Economic factors, including trade policies and market dynamics, also contribute to world hunger. Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi , Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference

on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) writes that, “enhanced international and national measures on transparency and regulation are needed to ensure incomes arising from agriculture value chains are fairly shared by all actors. We also need improved market access and risk management tools for smallholder farmers, including for female farmers, to expand opportunities and reduce income volatility.” Unequal distribution of wealth, lack of investment in agriculture, and volatile food prices can all affect food availability and affordability.

What are the Effects of World Hunger?

World hunger has far-reaching effects on individuals, communities, and nations. 

Physical Effects

Hunger can lead to malnutrition , which can cause various physical health problems, including stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and increased risk of disease.

Almost nowhere are malnutrition’s human and economic costs more stark than in Nigeria . The country has the second-highest number of malnourished children in the world. Fifteen million children under the age of five are stunted, and 30 million are anemic, according to figures from UNICEF . Seven percent of women of childbearing age also suffer from acute malnutrition. 

As a result, Nigeria loses an estimated $1.5 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually due to diminished productivity and increased healthcare costs caused by malnutrition. 

There are solutions to world hunger that can alleviate the burden on hardworking men, women, and families. Fortifying staple foods with essential vitamins and minerals, for instance, is one of the most effective ways of improving a population’s nutrition. 

The Micronutrient Fortification Index (MFI) developed by TechnoServe is a platform that enables food processing companies to publicly disclose and monitor their staple food fortification levels along with other quality system metrics. This groundbreaking platform is the first to offer a transparent and incentivized method to measure industry-wide progress on fortification.

Mental Effects

Hunger also has significant mental health consequences, particularly for children. Malnourished children may experience cognitive delays, difficulty concentrating, and behavioral problems.

As of November 2021, more than 26% of children under five years suffered from chronic malnutrition in Kenya. This can lead to serious health consequences like anemia, blindness, and brain damage. In addition to its devastating impact on families, malnutrition limits a country’s economic potential, decreasing the productivity of its people and increasing healthcare costs.

The Strengthening African Processors for Food Fortification (SAPFF) program – a partnership between TechnoServe, Partners in Food Solutions , and the Bill and Melinda G ates Foundation – is working with food companies in Nigeria, Kenya , and Tanzania to improve their capacity to produce and sell fortified foods for local markets.

Social and Economic Effects

Hunger also affects social and economic development. It can decrease productivity, lower educational attainment, and increase healthcare costs. Additionally, hunger can perpetuate poverty and inequality, creating a cycle of deprivation.

In Jicarito, Honduras , María Castillo is a bean farmer. While southern Honduras has rich farmland, María and her family still struggled over the years with hunger. “We used to grow bad quality beans and have low productivity because we did not know the best practices,” she recalls. Although María eventually worked with TechnoServe to improve her crops and income , her struggle with food insecurity isn’t uncommon. Smallholder farms in Latin America and worldwide produce nearly 30% of the world’s food supply , and close to 2 billion people depend on those farmers for food . 

TechnoServe works with small- and medium-scale coffee and bean producers in Honduras, like María Castillo, to train them in better agronomic techniques . Staff is also working to improve the operations of more than 600 farmer organizations and to facilitate an improved environment for public policies related to climate change resilience.

As a result, nearly 30,000 producers in Honduras have access to $15.5 million in credit for inputs, farm maintenance, and infrastructure investments. After four crop cycles, bean farmers increased productivity by an average of 54%, substantially increasing incomes and reducing food insecurity.

María herself worked with TechnoServe to launch a rural savings and loan association , which sells agricultural inputs such as drought-resistant seeds. This helps prevent other community farmers from facing the same food insecurity that she once did. 

How Can We Stop World Hunger?

Addressing world hunger requires a multifaceted approach that considers the complex nature of the problem. Some potential solutions include:

Increasing Agricultural Productivity

Investing in agriculture can increase food production and promote food security. This includes improving access to technology and training for farmers and providing financial incentives to increase production.

Rosa González is one of nearly 9,000 fruit and vegetable farmers in Guatemala and Nicaragua who learned how to improve the value of their produce, connect to new markets, and earn higher incomes.  

This income is critical for Rosa, a single mother who relies on her farm to provide for her family, including her son, Ángel. He is “my greatest motivation,” she says. “I want to give him an education. I want to teach him many things that I didn’t get.” 

These dreams seem more possible for Rosa and Ángel since she joined TechnoServe’s Smallholder Market Access Program with grant funding from the Walmart Foundation . TechnoServe worked with farmers like Rosa to help them escape poverty by providing agricultural training , helping them strengthen farmer business organizations, connecting them with agricultural exporters, and working across the value chains to make them more inclusive for women farmers.

Promoting Sustainable Food Systems

Sustainable food systems can help reduce the impact of climate change on food production while ensuring equitable access to nutritious food. This includes promoting agroforestry, regenerative farming, and sustainable land use practices.

Food processors are the linchpins of the food supply chain and play an essential role in local economic growth, with the potential to drive a positive impact for smallholder farmers, consumers, and other actors across the food system.

TechnoServe helps processors identify and analyze business constraints and provides tailored guidance to help them improve operations, strengthen supply chains, connect to new markets, and access finance. With our support, food processors are able to grow, increase profits, and strengthen their local food system. Through this growth, they help create jobs, expand markets and trade, and increase access to safer, nutritious foods.

Severina Paul Mwakateba founded AA Nafaka in 2012, excited to help raise the incomes of local farmers and increase the supply of high-quality food available to Tanzanian consumers. This small, woman-owned business provides consumers with nutritious food like fortified flour, polished rice, and sunflower oil. It also provides a reliable market for smallholder farmers selling their crops.

In 2019, AA Nafaka made more than $60,000 in sales, with schools making up an important segment of its customer base. The company had the opportunity to expand even further in 2019 as well, as a result of the installation of additional milling equipment. However, the COVID-19 pandemic would confront the company with serious challenges.

With transportation restrictions and school closures in place, the company experienced both product distribution difficulties and the loss of an important part of its market. With the resulting drop in sales, AA Nafaka had to lay off seven of its employees and decrease its purchases from smallholders and aggregators by 60%.

With the pandemic threatening the operations and survival of food businesses like AA Nafaka, the Visa Foundation stepped in in 2021 to provide resiliency grants to eight African food processors. These grants were complemented by technical assistance from the Coalition for Farmer-Allied Intermediaries (CFAI), a group of pioneering organizations, including TechnoServe , that work with over 600 African food companies to strengthen the continent’s food systems. TechnoServe and Partners in Food Solutions provided technical assistance to these firms through the Alliance for Inclusive and Nutritious Food Processing program, which is funded by USAID’s Feed the Future initiative . As a result of this partnership, these African food businesses increased their sales by 70% , supporting stable markets for 1,500 farmers and creating new employment opportunities for nearly 100 workers. 

In the case of AA Nafaka, TechnoServe’s business advisors worked with the company’s managers to help improve the company’s sourcing and marketing strategies. Like many small food businesses, the company needed to shift its approach in order to survive the volatile market conditions.

TechnoServe also helped Severina and her team to develop an inclusive business plan that would enable the company to purchase its crops. The team also helped the company to improve the utilization rate of its processing facilities and adapt its marketing strategy.

With this support, AA Nafaka was able to persevere through the challenges of the pandemic and even rehire three of its employees who had been laid off. The company was also able to purchase more than $20,000 of crops directly from 112 smallholder farmers–80% of whom were women. And it purchased roughly the same amount from an aggregator that bought directly from smallholder farmers. 

Supporting Vulnerable Populations

Targeted support for vulnerable populations, including women, children, and refugees, can help address the root causes of hunger. 

When violence broke out in Rwanda in 1994, Athanasie Musabyimana was 20 years old and eight months pregnant. She fled to a refugee camp in Tanzania with her husband and son. The trip was arduous as she was nauseous and could barely walk. When they arrived, conditions were challenging. “We were packed together like blades of grass,” Athanasie explains. 

Athanasie gave birth to a daughter in the refugee camp. Because food supplies were limited in the camp, she couldn’t breastfeed her daughter and feared the baby would die. Three of her children had tragically passed away previously, and so Athanasie named the little girl Nzamwitakuze, or “I will give you a name if you survive.”

But her daughter did survive. They returned to Rwanda to settle down as farmers. Shortly afterward, Athanasie’s husband died from malaria, leaving her a young widow, now with two children and her parents to support. She constantly struggled to make ends meet and feed her family.

So Athanasie turned to coffee farming. She joined TechnoServe’s agronomy and business training program as part of the Coffee Initiative . Using what she learned from the program, Athanasie increased the yields and the quality of her coffee harvest. “From TechnoServe, I learned better composting, better pruning, and how to use fertilizer for coffee.”

As her income grew over the years, Athanasie continued to invest in her farm, buying more land and doubling her coffee holdings. By 2014, Athanasie had tripled her income, earning approximately $420 for the year. 

Athanasie now runs a successful coffee farm and has expanded into growing maize. The boost in income has enabled her to support her household of six, affording medical insurance for her extended family and school fees for her children. Athanasie’s son, Ndimubanzi Jean Bosco, farms with his mother, and her younger daughter, Uwineza Denise, attends school.

Her daughter, Nzamwitakuze Dina, has not only survived but thrived: she recently completed the first phase of secondary school and hopes to attend college. The profits from her farm have also allowed Athanasie to start renovating and expanding her house.

Addressing Climate Change

Addressing climate change is critical to reducing the impact of severe weather occurrences on food production and availability. We can do this by working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote renewable energy, and invest in climate adaptation strategies.

TechnoServe is among many non-profits, businesses, and other groups around the world that are stepping up to meet this challenge. Our Regenerate 30 initiative aims to achieve the following impact by 2030:

  • 30 million people with increased resilience
  • 30% average income increase for farms and businesses
  • 30 million tons of CO2e mitigated or sequestered
  • 30 million acres of land under sustainable management or improved conservation
  • $300 million in private-sector investment

Find out more by downloading our PDF fact sheet on the initiative and by watching this YouTube Short about Regenerate 30.

Comprehensive Strategies for Addressing World Hunger

Global hunger is a complex problem with far-reaching effects on individuals, communities, and nations. Addressing hunger requires a comprehensive approach considering the various factors contributing to the problem. We can work towards a world free of hunger through targeted interventions and investments in agriculture, sustainable food systems, and vulnerable populations.

Test your understanding of the factors contributing to global hunger, its consequences, and possible remedies. Take our brief four-question quiz to assess your knowledge regarding hunger on a global scale.

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A global food crisis

Conflict, economic shocks, climate extremes and soaring fertilizer prices are combining to create a food crisis of unprecedented proportions. As many as 783 million people are facing chronic hunger. We have a choice: act now to save lives and invest in solutions that secure food security, stability and peace for all, or see people around the world facing rising hunger. 

2023: Another year of extreme jeopardy for those struggling to feed their families

The scale of the current global hunger and malnutrition crisis is enormous. WFP estimates – from 78 of the countries where it works (and where data is available) – that more than 333 million people are facing acute levels of food insecurity in 2023, and do not know where their next meal is coming from.  This constitutes a staggering rise of almost 200 million people compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. 

At least 129,000 people are expected to experience famine in Burkina Faso, Mali, Somalia and South Sudan. Furthermore, any fragile progress already made in reducing numbers risks being lost, due to funding gaps and resulting cuts in assistance.  The global community must not fail on its promise to end hunger and malnutrition by 2030.   

WFP is facing multiple challenges – the number of acutely hungry people continues to increase at a pace that funding is unlikely to match , while the  cost of delivering food assistance is at an all-time high  because food and fuel prices have increased.  

Unmet needs heighten the risk of hunger and malnutrition. Unless the necessary resources are made available,  lost lives and the reversal of hard-earned development gains  will be the price to pay. 

The causes of hunger and famine

But why is the world  hungrier than ever? 

This seismic hunger crisis has been caused by a deadly combination of factors. 

Conflict is still the biggest driver of hunger, with 70 percent of the world's hungry people living in areas afflicted by war  and violence. Events in Ukraine are further proof of how conflict feeds hunger – forcing people out of their homes, wiping out their sources of income and wrecking countries’ economies. 

The climate crisis is one of the leading causes of the steep rise in global hunger.  Climate shocks destroy lives, crops and livelihoods, and undermine people’s ability to feed themselves.  Hunger will spiral out of control if the world fails to take immediate climate action. 

Global fertilizer prices have climbed even faster than food prices, which remain at a ten-year high themselves. The effects of the war in Ukraine, including higher natural gas prices, have further disrupted global fertilizer production and exports – reducing supplies, raising prices and threatening to reduce harvests.  High fertilizer prices could turn the current food affordability crisis into a food availability crisis, with production of maize, rice, soybean and wheat all falling in 2022. 

On top of increased operational costs , WFP is facing a major drop in funding in 2023 compared to the previous year, reflecting the new and more challenging financial landscape that the entire humanitarian sector is navigating. As a result, assistance levels are well below those of 2022. Almost half of WFP country operations have already been forced to cut the size and scope of food, cash and nutrition assistance by up to 50 percent.

WFP Annual Review 2022

Publication | 23 June 2023

WFP and FAO sound the alarm as global food crisis tightens its grip on hunger hotspots

Story | 21 September 2022

WFP scales up support to most vulnerable in global food crisis

Publication | 14 July 2022

Hunger hotspots

From the Central American Dry Corridor and Haiti, through the Sahel, Central African Republic, South Sudan and then eastwards to the Horn of Africa, Syria, Yemen and all the way to Afghanistan,  conflict and climate shocks are driving millions of people to the brink of starvation. 

Last year, the world rallied extraordinary resources – a record-breaking US$14.1 billion for WFP alone – to tackle the unprecedented global food crisis. In countries like Somalia, which has been  teetering on the brink of famine,  the international community came together and managed to pull people back. But it is not sufficient to only keep people alive. We need to go further, and  this can only be achieved by addressing the underlying causes of hunger. 

The consequences of not investing in resilience activities will reverberate across borders. If communities are not empowered to withstand shocks and stresses, this could result in  increased migration and possible destabilization and conflict.  Recent history has shown us this: when WFP ran out of funds to feed Syrian refugees in 2015, they had no choice but to leave the camps and seek help elsewhere, causing one of the  greatest refugee crises in recent European history.  

Let's stop hunger now

WFP’s changing lives work helps to build human capital, support governments in strengthening social protection programmes, stabilize communities in particularly precarious places, and help them to better survive sudden shocks without losing all their assets. 

In just four years of the  Sahel Resilience Scale-up, WFP and local communities turned 158,000 hectares of barren fields in the Sahel region of five African countries into farm and grazing land.  Over 2.5 million people benefited from integrated activities.  Evidence shows that people are better equipped to withstand seasonal shocks and have improved access to vital natural resources like land they can work.  Families and their homes, belongings and fields are better protected against climate hazards.  Support serves as a buffer to instability by bringing people together, creating social safety nets, keeping lands productive and offering job opportunities – all of which help to break the cycle of hunger. 

As a further example, WFP’s flagship microinsurance programme – the R4 Rural Resilience initiative –  protects around 360,000 farming and pastoralist families from climate hazards that threaten crops and livelihoods  in 14 countries including Bangladesh, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guatemala, Kenya, Madagascar and Zimbabwe. 

At the same time, WFP is working with governments in 83 countries to boost or build  national safety nets and nutrition-sensitive social protection, allowing us to reach more people than we can with emergency food assistance.  

Humanitarian assistance alone is not enough though. A  coordinated effort across governments, financial institutions, the private sector and partners is the only way to mitigate an even more severe crisis in 2023.  Good governance is a golden thread that holds society together, allowing human capital to grow, economies to develop and people to thrive.  

The world also needs deeper political engagement to reach zero hunger.  Only political will can end conflict in places like Yemen, Ethiopia and South Sudan, and without a firm political commitment to contain global warming as stipulated in the  Paris Agreement , the main drivers of hunger will continue unabated. 

In 2023, hunger levels are higher than ever before

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Famine Imminent in Gaza. Take Action Now.

What Causes Hunger?

The root causes of global hunger.

The planet produces enough food to feed everyone on earth. Yet more than 3 billion people can’t afford to eat a healthy diet.

Interconnected issues of poverty, inequity, conflict, climate change, gender discrimination, and weak government and health systems all play a role in keeping nutritious food out of reach for millions of families around the world.

Download 10 Facts About Hunger >>

When children don’t have enough food, their brains and bodies suffer. It stops them from growing, learning, and working – from reaching their full potential. Without treatment, severe hunger can take children’s lives.

It doesn’t have to be this way: hunger is predictable, preventable, and treatable. With the right tools, we can save the lives of malnourished children and help them get the nutritious food they need to thrive. We can create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good – first, we must tackle its root causes.

Why Does Hunger Happen?

Power determines who eats and who goes hungry, who lives and who dies.

Climate Change

The climate crisis is driving hunger and malnutrition around the world.

Seventy-five percent of the world’s malnourished people live in conflict zones.

Disasters & Emergencies

Humanitarian emergencies disrupt and destroy livelihoods for millions of people.

Extreme poverty, lack of sufficient food, and hunger are inextricably linked.

Dirty Water & Unsafe Sanitation

Without clean water, illnesses like diarrhea, parasites, and intestinal inflammation can prevent children from absorbing key nutrients and make them more susceptible to malnutrition.

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What are the effects of hunger?

We know about the causes of hunger — but what about the effects? 

At the macro-level, there’s the obvious connection between hunger and poverty. At the micro-level, Concern has also worked with millions of parents and children whose individual lives have been hit hard by hunger and malnutrition, and have heard many of those specific stories. 

In this piece, we meet in the middle and look at the main effects of hunger — for adults, children, and even societies. 

The effects of hunger on adults

There’s no single effect or set of effects of hunger in adults — in some cases, when an adult becomes malnourished (such as when they are pregnant or breastfeeding), it can have even an bigger impact on their children. The stakes are also higher for adults who are older or have a chronic illness or comorbidity. Generally, however, adult cases of hunger and malnutrition follow the same steps, to varying levels of severity. 

Kenyan woman and her children

The physical effects of hunger

If a human adult is keeping hydrated, estimates generally agree that they can live for up to two months without eating (if they’re not keeping hydrated, then they’re only likely to survive a few days). However, after a day or two, the body enters what’s known as “starvation mode.” In this time, the body goes through its glucose storage (what’s readily available when a person eats three meals a day at regular intervals). It then turns to glycogen from the liver and muscles. By day three, the body goes into ketosis — a point at which it begins to use fat stores for energy. 

This leads to one of the most obvious physical effects of hunger in adults: weight loss due to the depletion of fat and muscle mass. This is a key symptom of malnutrition. It also affects muscle and organ function: People who are malnourished or going without food will feel overall weaker, more fatigued, and experience sensations like lightheadedness and dizziness.

Girl in Cité Soleil, Haiti, drinking clean water out of a jerry can

Hunger also affects adult immune systems, making people more susceptible to disease. This is one of the reasons that famines can become so deadly: It’s not just about hunger; it’s also about the prevalence of illnesses (such as cholera or COVID-19). This also holds true for recovering from injuries, as the body also relies on energy stores to heal a wound or broken bone. 

A 2010 paper published by the Royal College of Physicians also points to organ and system failure as a key effect of hunger. Reduced cardio-respiratory function leads to adrenal failure, largely impacting the heart, lungs, and kidneys. Gastrointestinal functions are also compromised. Paper authors John Saunders and Trevor Smith note that this includes an impact on the colon’s ability to function, which often leads to diarrhoea. Even in adults, this is “associated with a high mortality rate in severely-malnourished patients.” Without enough — and consistent — food, one of these health issues will generally prove fatal.

How hunger affects the brain

In 2018, researchers at Canada’s University of Guelph proved that “hanger” isn’t just an invented catchphrase. They linked depleted glucose levels to increased stress and depression, concluding that “hypoglycemia is a strong physiological and psychological stressor.” 

PhD student Thomas Horman, who led the study, adds that “poor mood and poor eating can become a vicious cycle in that, if a person isn’t eating properly, they can experience a drop in mood, and this drop in mood can make them not want to eat.

“If someone is constantly missing meals and constantly experiencing this stressor, the response could affect their emotional state on a more constant level.”

For many people in the world’s hungriest countries , additional anxiety and stress come from hunger being an issue that affects families and whole communities.  “I don't have enough food to feed myself, but it makes me feel even worse when I see the children going hungry,” says mum-of-four in drought-choked northern Kenya Lokaale Ekiru. In a response to the Horn of Africa drought and COVID lockdowns, she has been trying to make ends meet by making and selling charcoal on the roadside. Still, it only goes so far. “They always cry and follow me wherever I go if they are hungry,” she adds. “But I don't have anything to give them so I have to escape and go and make charcoal again.” 

Northern Kenyan woman and her four children

Effects of hunger on children

The first 1,000 days between a mother’s pregnancy and their child’s second birthday are a critical window for growth and nutrition, which makes hunger and malnutrition in this time all the more dangerous. 

When a mother is undernourished during pregnancy, their own nutritional health isn’t the only health at stake. Complications brought on by low nutrition during pregnancy include anaemia, hypertension, miscarriages, premature delivery, and maternal death.

Effects of hunger on child development

Many children born to mothers who are undernourished will likely grow up stunted or with malnutrition themselves. Other key effects of hunger on young children include wasting (low weight for wage), low birth weight, and — in extreme cases — infant and child mortalities. 

As the UNFPA points out, as these children grow up (especially girls), their options and autonomy will be equally compromised.

A man screening a young boy for stunting at a malnutrition clinic in northern Kenya

How does hunger affect school performance?

Education is another main concern when children go hungry. Part of the reason for this is the simple fact that it’s harder to concentrate and learn when you’re hungry. But beyond those moments in the classroom, children who suffer stunting, wasting, or other health issues that come with a lack of proper nutrients are also more likely to develop lower cognitive skills. They also are more likely to miss out on school due to chronic health issues that come from their bodies not developing properly in those critical first few years.

A woman cooking school lunch in rural Kenya

The cycles of hunger and poverty

All of this can lead to a cycle of both hunger and poverty. Girls who don’t get proper nutrients during adolescence and into adulthood are likely to pass on malnutrition and related deficiencies to their children. 

Poverty also becomes intergenerational thanks to hunger. According to one study, children who aren’t stunted earn 22% more in their lifetimes. Another study, conducted in 2011 by Sue Horton and Richard Steckel for the Copenhagen Consensus on Human Challenges, suggests that well-nourished children are 33% more likely to escape poverty as adults.

Effects of hunger on society

Hunger’s effects go beyond individuals and families. Communities and even entire countries can suffer more during a hunger crisis.

Hunger can escalate violence and conflict

Conflict leads to hunger , but hunger can also lead to conflict. As violence escalated in Haiti through 2019, for example, the UN predicted a nearly 10% increase in hunger levels for 2020. This was before COVID-19, and by the beginning of 2021, the increase in Haitians without adequate food was closer to 20%.

Christela Louis inside the bakery, supported by Concern, where she has worked since May. Christela is confident that through working here, she will be able to grow her business and start saving money. Photo: Kristin Myers / Concern Worldwide.

Hunger breaks up families and communities

Hunger is a key cause of forced migration, influencing a family’s decision on when and where to move. In some cases, one or two family members (usually fathers and older sons) will leave in order to make money to send home, creating a knock-on effect of challenges for those they leave behind. In other cases, entire families will move and live in tenuous circumstances (often without the full legal rights and protections of refugees). 

A hunger crisis can threaten local infrastructure and public health

When hunger reaches crisis levels in a region or country, the resources needed to address that emergency often go beyond what that country’s infrastructure can offer. This is especially true for health systems, which are often faced with an influx in nutrition-related cases, as well as other diseases (which, as noted above, become more frequent and severe in people who are undernourished).

A nutrition screening at a healthcare facility in South Sudan

Hunger can impact an entire country’s economy

In countries with high rates of hunger (many of which also have high rates of poverty), hunger can have an effect on the national economy. In Ethiopia , for example, it’s estimated that hunger contributes to GDP losses as high as 16%.

The effects of hunger: Concern's response

We won't end poverty until we end hunger. Stark evidence now demonstrates the enormous scale of nutritional issues in low-income countries, as well as their human and financial costs. As a result, Concern — like many other NGOs, as well as governments and UN agencies, has made unprecedented commitments to prioritise nutrition in our work around the globe. 

Currently, our nutrition strategy is to focus efforts on reducing hunger and malnutrition among adolescent girls, women of reproductive age, and children under the age of 5. We work with adolescent girls to understand how to take care of themselves and advocate for their health and nutrition so that those who eventually become mothers bring a solid nutritional foundation to their pregnancies. We do the same with pregnant and lactating mothers, working with them to track and maintain their vitamin and nutrient levels. Some of our projects focus specifically on the first 1,000 days between conception and a child’s second birthday to prevent malnutrition in this critical time. Other programmes, like Community Management of Acute Malnutrition , screen and treat children up to the age of 5 (and even older) with overwhelmingly positive results and standard-setting cure rates. 

A few other ways Concern fights hunger include: 

  • Supporting nutrition-sensitive agriculture and crop diversity to ensure that families have the full range of nutrients they need
  • Promote nutrition-sensitive social protection and natural resource management, placing nutrition and health at the forefront of responses to other emergencies such as climate change and conflict
  • Working towards gender equality and gender transformative programming
  • Working towards improving access to water and sanitation services, while also promoting optimal nutrition, health, and hygiene behaviors
  • Increasing access to quality education, especially for girls
  • Strengthening local and national health systems so that they can deliver integrated nutrition services (such as CMAM) without ongoing support from Concern

Fighting the effects of hunger: Your concern in action

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Aminata Abdoulaye (20) and her son Hassane (9 months). Photo: Ollivier Girard / Concern Worldwide

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Extreme Poverty and Hunger: A Vicious Cycle

There’s no way around it: If we want to end poverty, we have to end hunger.

Oct 25, 2022

Woman with her young daughter in Gocondhaale, Tagdheer, Somaliland.

There’s no way around it: If we want to end poverty, we have to end hunger. Here's how the two are connected.

Graphic of the world's hungriest countries in 2022.

Somalia is one country that sits high on both lists. The country’s rural northern region is home to Nimco, a young mother of six children. The worst drought to hit the Horn of Africa in 40 years has turned the pastoralist landscape of Nimco’s village into a dust bowl. The soil is parched, and any remaining animals are thin and weak. All surface water sources have dried up. Since May of 2022, the community has been decimated: Those with the means left months ago.

Nimco and her four children are among those who stayed, though this was not out of pride or sentimentality. They simply couldn’t afford to leave. Nimco’s husband went off with their few remaining sheep and goats to find water and pasture in other regions. Unfortunately, Nimco — unlike some of the other families in her village — doesn’t have a relative in the city who can help her with buying the bare necessities.

“It was a very difficult situation,” she explains. “We couldn’t afford to buy water or food, and we couldn’t pay our debt.” The combination of poverty and hunger trapped them in a cycle from which they struggle to escape.

Nimco with two of her children outside the family home in Somaliland.

Poverty and Hunger: Fast Facts

  • According to the World Food Program , as many as 828 million people were affected by hunger in 2021 — a 22% increase from 2019 driven largely by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  •  In most countries, malnutrition is highest among the poorest 20% of residents.
  • In 2020 (the most recent data in 2022), the World Health Organization estimates that 149.2 million children under 5 — about 22% of the population — were stunted .
  • The WHO also estimates that, in the same year 45 million children suffered from wasting
  • Approximately 45% of child deaths are linked to undernutrition. The majority of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
  • The WFP estimates that, in 2020, 3.1 billion people could not afford a healthy diet. This represents a 112 million-person increase from 2019.
  • The WFP projects that, by 2030, nearly 670 million people (8% of the global population) will still be hungry, despite the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger by that year.

Learn More About Our Fight to End Poverty and Hunger

What causes world hunger.

Hunger is something we’ve all experienced for a variety of reasons. But when we break down hunger into issues like malnutrition, undernutrition, or specific deficiencies (like Vitamin A or Iron), we can more easily measure and design solutions to hunger that work .

That said, there are many causes of world hunger . To narrow things down a bit, we can put these causes into one of two larger categories: physiological causes and poverty-related causes.

Physiological Causes of Hunger

At certain points in our lives, we need more food and nutrients. The first 1,000 days of childhood are crucial for the right amount of nutrients to ensure that we continue developing to our full potential. When puberty hits and we reach adolescence, we go through another phase. For pregnant people, that need once again crops up.

While these life cycles aren’t “bad,” they are causes of hunger in that our nutritional needs increase in this time. Mothers like Nimco often face tough decisions during their pregnancies.

Poverty-Related Causes of Hunger

That’s because of the millions of parents who face restricted resources and are unable to meet their most basic needs. Nimco, for instance, had relied on credit from local shops to feed her young family. As her debts accumulated, however, the shops stopped selling to her.

Both Hunger and Poverty Can Be Intergenerational

Generally, stories like Nimco’s don’t happen out of thin air. The cycle of poverty often runs from one generation to the next, with children born into poverty more likely to live in the same cycle as their parents if there is no intervention. Likewise, hunger and malnutrition can be intergenerational.

Malnourished mothers are also more likely to give birth to malnourished infants. About 20% of stunting in children is attributed to malnutrition in the womb as a result of maternal undernutrition. This means even children who manage to survive being born to malnourished mothers are still less likely to reach their physical and cognitive potential in life.

Furthermore, many of the poverty-related causes of malnutrition, such as food insecurity or poor access to health services, endure for multiple generations of the same family or community.

Nimco's young daughter.

How Does Poverty Affect Hunger?

Issues relating to hunger can go hand-in-hand with poverty — particularly climate change , conflict , and forced migration . However, all of these situations usually boil down to three key issues. This is a framework Concern uses, one that was developed by UNICEF:

Poor or No Access To A Quality Diet

In some cases, the question is simply whether people can find anything to eat. There is already an overlap of countries experiencing both high levels of poverty and hunger. The human cost of a food shortage will hit on this overlap, leaving those furthest behind with the fewest options in a situation of low supply and high demand.

In South Sudan , people fleeing war have described eating water lilies to survive. In Haiti , a common recipe in areas that face food shortages is bonbon tè, which are cookies made with a special dirt mixed with salt, fat, and water. Pastoralists in drought-struck northern Kenya boil animal hides.

However, even in less dire straits, people with the fewest resources are more likely to lose out on a well-balanced diet and key nutrients, relying on crops like corn for the majority of their diet.

causes and effects of hunger essay

10 Things people do when their food runs out

When people run low on food, they’re forced to make difficult choices — and sometimes the things they must do to survive can have destructive consequences.

Lack of Knowledge, Skills, and Support to Ensure Optimal Care for Women and Children

Education and poverty are also linked , especially when it comes to health and nutrition. The harmful patriarchal and gender norms present in many low-income countries (particularly in rural areas) mean that many women don’t realize the care they need to take while pregnant and nursing. Many parents also rely on traditional methods of treating their children when sick, many of which are ineffectual — and some of which can even be counterproductive.

Educating parents about proper prenatal and pediatric care (and giving them access to trained professionals, no matter how remote their community is) is a key aspect of ending hunger. When caregivers are informed about how to prevent, detect, and treat malnutrition, lives are saved. When expecting parents are aware of how nutrition is passed on to a child during pregnancy, they can take the care to get the nutrients they need in order to start their child off on the best possible foot.

Poor or No Access to Water, Sanitation, and Essential Health Services

Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) as well as other key health services are also linked to poverty and hunger. Sometimes, people (especially children) eat enough. But if they live in an area with insufficient sanitation or poor hygiene practices, they may be susceptible to diarrhea or other waterborne illnesses that prevent them from absorbing those nutrients. Making sure that drinking and washing water are uncontaminated can save a life — in more ways than one.

Likewise, essential healthcare services are, well, essential to ending hunger. This is especially true for women and children, who often don’t get adequate care or nutritional screenings at key moments in life.

Drought is also a key issue. “Before the drought, we had 40 sheep and goats. We depended on our livestock as we used to sell milk, meat, sheep, or goats,” Nimco explains. She lost all but 11 of her flock. “This is not the first drought,” she adds. “The drought has been here for the last two and a half years. Now we do not have anything to trade or anywhere to go. We are trapped in this tiny village.”

Nimco with two of her six children.

Why (and How) Concern Tackles Both Poverty and Hunger

Concern’s mandate is to end extreme poverty (whatever it takes). But we won’t end poverty until we also end hunger. If poverty is a combination between inequality and risk, then unger creates vulnerability. This in turn feeds into the risks that fuel poverty. Food insecurity itself can also be an inequality within a community, or simply signal the other inequalities within that community.

Cycle of poverty equation

Human development is not possible without good nutrition — particularly for women and young children. Stark evidence now demonstrates the enormous scale of nutritional issues in low-income countries, as well as their human and financial costs. As a result, Concern — like many other NGOs, as well as governments and UN agencies, has made unprecedented commitments to prioritize nutrition in our work around the globe.

Currently, our nutrition strategy is to focus efforts on reducing hunger and malnutrition among adolescent girls, women of reproductive age, and children under the age of 5. We work with adolescent girls to understand how to take care of themselves and advocate for their health and nutrition so that those who eventually become mothers bring a solid nutritional foundation to their pregnancies. We do the same with pregnant and lactating mothers, working with them to track and maintain their vitamin and nutrient levels. Some of our projects focus specifically on the first 1,000 days between conception and a child’s second birthday to prevent malnutrition in this critical time. Other programs, like Community Management of Acute Malnutrition , screen and treat children up to the age of 5 (and even older) with overwhelmingly positive results and standard-setting cure rates.

A few other ways Concern approaches hunger in context of our work to end poverty include:

  • Supporting nutrition-sensitive agriculture and crop diversity to ensure that families have the full range of nutrients they need
  • Promote nutrition-sensitive social protection and natural resource management, placing nutrition and health at the forefront of responses to other emergencies such as climate change and conflict
  • Working more largely towards gender equality and gender transformative programming
  • Working more largely towards improving access to water and sanitation services, while also promoting optimal nutrition, health, and hygiene behaviors
  • Increasing access to quality education, especially for girls
  • Strengthening local and national health systems so that they can deliver integrated nutrition services (such as CMAM) without ongoing support from Concern

Back in rural Somalia, Nimco has found some relief from the poverty and hunger trap into which her family had fallen. Unconditional cash transfers from Concern have allowed her to buy food and water, and to pay off some of the debt that was weighing the family down.

It’s a short-term solution for sure, but it has slowed a spiral from which the family might never have recovered. Meanwhile, programs that support alternative sources of food production and income generation are the bedrock upon which families like Nimco’s can build their resilience to poverty and climate shock. For Concern’s teams in countries like Somalia, it’s programs like these that will ultimately help break the vicious cycle that ruins so many lives around the world.

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Ending global extreme poverty requires us to focus on two of its root issues: health & nutrition. You can help us with both.

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Essays on Hunger

World hunger essay topics and outline examples, essay title 1: combating world hunger: challenges, solutions, and the role of global cooperation.

Thesis Statement: This essay delves into the complex issue of world hunger, analyzing its root causes, exploring sustainable solutions, and emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in eradicating hunger and ensuring food security for all.

  • Introduction
  • Defining World Hunger: Scope and Consequences of the Crisis
  • Causes of Hunger: Poverty, Conflict, Climate Change, and Inequality
  • Global Food Systems: Challenges and Vulnerabilities
  • Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production: Ensuring a Future for All
  • Humanitarian Aid and Development Initiatives: Navigating Relief and Long-Term Solutions
  • International Cooperation and Policy Frameworks: Advancing Global Food Security

Essay Title 2: The Silent Crisis: Examining the Faces of Hunger and Malnutrition Worldwide

Thesis Statement: This essay sheds light on the human faces of hunger and malnutrition, highlighting the stories of those affected, the consequences on health and well-being, and the importance of targeted interventions to address this global humanitarian crisis.

  • Hunger Beyond Statistics: Personal Narratives and Humanitarian Photography
  • Malnutrition and Health: The Interplay of Hunger and Disease
  • Children and Hunger: Impact on Growth, Development, and Future Opportunities
  • Gender and Hunger: Exploring Disparities and Empowering Women
  • Community-Led Solutions: Grassroots Efforts and Empowerment
  • Media and Advocacy: Raising Awareness and Mobilizing Resources

Essay Title 3: From Policy to Plate: Examining Food Security Strategies and Sustainable Solutions for a Hunger-Free World

Thesis Statement: This essay investigates food security policies and sustainable strategies aimed at eliminating world hunger, exploring the role of governments, NGOs, and individuals in ensuring equitable access to nutritious food and eradicating hunger globally.

  • Food Security vs. Food Insecurity: Defining the Concept and Its Implications
  • Governmental Initiatives: National Food Policies and Hunger Alleviation Programs
  • NGOs and Humanitarian Agencies: Relief Efforts and Sustainable Development
  • The Role of Sustainable Agriculture: Farming Practices and Environmental Stewardship
  • Educational Initiatives: Promoting Food Literacy and Empowering Communities
  • Individual Actions: Reducing Food Waste, Supporting Local Economies, and Advocating for Change

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How We Can Combat The New Rise in World Hunger

No food, no morals: the effects of starvetion, effects of poverty on african people’s lives, scacity of food in the world, introduction to poverty: causes, effects, and management, measures of child undernutrition in the world, world hunger issue: an unequal economy and hungry population, effects of the irish potato famine in the 19th century: a comparatative analysis of articles by connell and woodham-smith, the christian responsibility towards hunger and poverty, world hunger solution: global goal called 'zero hunger', the price of dignity in nectar in a sieve, review of the issue of world hunger and its possible solution, the clean meat movement as the solution to global hunger, the potential of gmos to help combat world hunger, world hunger: discussion of cannibalism as a possible solution, australian foreign aid projects to reduce hunger and poverty, the animal husbandry in contrast to the alternative agricultural methods for the human race's food sources, hungry ghosts: mao's secret famine by jasper becker - the great chinese famine from 1958 to 1962, solving somalia's famine and the role of a stable government, how the creation of leaders brings inequalities in rank, power, wealth, and eventually the creation of world hunger.

Hunger refers to the physiological sensation and discomfort caused by a lack of food and the body's need for nourishment. It is a basic human instinct triggered by the body's internal signals that indicate the depletion of energy reserves and the requirement for sustenance. Hunger can manifest as an intense desire or craving for food, accompanied by physical symptoms such as stomach contractions, weakness, lightheadedness, and irritability.

Hunger in the United States is a persistent and complex issue that affects millions of people. Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in the world, food insecurity remains a significant problem for many Americans. Various factors contribute to hunger, including poverty, unemployment, high living costs, and limited access to affordable, nutritious food. Vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and minority communities, are disproportionately affected. Government programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and food banks play a crucial role in addressing hunger, but they often face challenges in meeting the growing demand for assistance. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity, highlighting the fragility of food systems and the need for more comprehensive and sustainable solutions. Addressing hunger requires a multifaceted approach that combines social policies, economic reforms, and community-based initiatives. By raising awareness about the issue and advocating for change, we can work towards a future where no one in the United States goes hungry.

The historical context of hunger is deeply intertwined with the development of human societies and their ability to secure sufficient food resources. Throughout history, periods of famine and scarcity have been common, often linked to factors such as climate change, natural disasters, war, economic instability, and political upheaval. In ancient civilizations, such as Egypt and Mesopotamia, agricultural practices and the management of food surpluses played a vital role in preventing widespread hunger. However, even in these societies, food shortages and famines could occur, leading to social unrest and migrations. The Industrial Revolution brought significant changes to food production and distribution, with advancements in technology, transportation, and trade. While these developments improved access to food for some, they also led to social and economic disparities, contributing to the persistence of hunger in urban slums and marginalized communities. The 20th century witnessed various efforts to address hunger globally. The establishment of international organizations like the United Nations and initiatives like the Green Revolution aimed to increase food production and improve access to nutrition. However, challenges such as population growth, unequal distribution, and inadequate infrastructure continue to impact hunger rates.

Several countries around the world continue to face significant challenges related to hunger and food insecurity. These challenges vary in nature and severity, influenced by factors such as economic conditions, political stability, climate, and social inequalities. Here are a few examples of countries that have been affected by hunger: 1. Sub-Saharan Africa: Many countries in this region experience high levels of hunger and malnutrition. Countries like South Sudan, Chad, and the Central African Republic have been particularly affected due to ongoing conflicts, displacement, and limited access to food and resources. 2. Yemen: The ongoing conflict in Yemen has resulted in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The country faces severe food shortages, with a large proportion of the population experiencing extreme hunger and malnutrition. 3. Haiti: As the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has long struggled with food insecurity. Environmental challenges such as deforestation, natural disasters, and limited agricultural resources exacerbate the situation, leaving a significant portion of the population vulnerable to hunger. 4. Venezuela: Economic and political instability in Venezuela has resulted in a severe food crisis. Hyperinflation, shortages of basic goods, and a crumbling infrastructure have led to widespread hunger and malnutrition among the population.

1. Poverty: Poverty is one of the primary drivers of hunger. People living in poverty often lack the financial resources to access sufficient nutritious food consistently. Limited income and economic disparities prevent individuals and communities from meeting their basic food needs. 2. Conflict and Political Instability: Armed conflicts and political instability disrupt food production, distribution, and access. In war-torn regions, crops are destroyed, markets are disrupted, and infrastructure is damaged, leading to food shortages and heightened vulnerability to hunger. 3. Climate Change and Environmental Factors: Extreme weather events, droughts, floods, and other climate-related factors affect agricultural productivity and food production. Climate change exacerbates existing food insecurity and can lead to crop failures, livestock losses, and reduced access to water resources. 4. Lack of Agricultural Resources and Infrastructure: Limited access to arable land, water, seeds, fertilizers, and modern agricultural technologies can hinder food production. Inadequate infrastructure, such as roads and storage facilities, can impede the distribution of food from rural areas to urban centers. 5. Unequal Food Distribution: Inequitable distribution and access to food are major contributors to hunger. Food may be available at a global or national level, but unequal distribution systems, inadequate transportation, and market forces prevent food from reaching those in need.

1. Malnutrition: Hunger often leads to malnutrition, which occurs when individuals do not receive adequate nutrients for their body's needs. Malnutrition can result in stunted growth, weakened immune systems, micronutrient deficiencies, and increased susceptibility to diseases. 2. Health Issues: Prolonged hunger can lead to a range of health problems, including weakened immune systems, increased mortality rates (especially among children and pregnant women), higher vulnerability to infections and diseases, and impaired cognitive development in children. 3. Impaired Education and Productivity: Hunger affects educational opportunities as hungry children may have difficulty focusing in school, have lower energy levels, and struggle with cognitive function. This can result in poor academic performance, limited opportunities, and reduced productivity in adulthood, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. 4. Economic Consequences: Hunger hampers economic development by limiting the productivity and potential of individuals. Malnourished individuals are often unable to work to their full capacity, leading to decreased productivity and economic output at both individual and national levels. 5. Social Instability: Persistent hunger can contribute to social unrest and conflict. When communities and populations experience chronic food insecurity, it can lead to tensions, migration, and social instability as people struggle to meet their basic needs. 6. Inter-generational Impact: Hunger can have long-lasting effects on future generations. Malnutrition experienced during pregnancy and early childhood can have lifelong consequences on physical and cognitive development, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and hunger.

1. Agricultural Development: Investing in agricultural development is crucial to increase food production and improve access to nutritious food. This includes promoting sustainable farming practices, providing farmers with access to modern technologies, improving irrigation systems, and supporting small-scale farmers to enhance their productivity. 2. Poverty Alleviation: Poverty is closely linked to hunger, so addressing poverty is essential in combating hunger. This can be achieved through economic empowerment initiatives, job creation programs, and social safety nets that provide support to vulnerable populations. 3. Nutritional Programs: Implementing targeted nutritional programs is important, especially for children and pregnant women. This includes promoting breastfeeding, providing fortified foods and supplements, supporting school feeding programs, and educating communities about proper nutrition. 4. Access to Education: Education plays a vital role in breaking the cycle of hunger and poverty. By improving access to quality education, especially for girls, we can empower individuals with knowledge and skills that can lead to better job opportunities and income generation. 5. Empowering Women: Gender equality is crucial in addressing hunger. Women often play a significant role in food production and family nutrition. Empowering women by providing them with education, access to resources, and decision-making power can have a positive impact on reducing hunger. 6. Social Safety Nets: Establishing social safety nets such as cash transfer programs, food vouchers, and public works programs can provide immediate relief to those facing acute food insecurity. These programs help vulnerable populations meet their basic needs during times of crisis. 7. Sustainable Food Systems: Promoting sustainable food production and consumption patterns is essential to ensure long-term food security. This involves reducing food waste, promoting agroecology and regenerative farming practices, and supporting local food systems to enhance resilience and minimize environmental impacts. 8. International Cooperation: Hunger is a global challenge that requires international collaboration and support. Governments, organizations, and individuals must work together to provide funding, technical assistance, and knowledge sharing to countries in need.

1. Documentaries: Films like "A Place at the Table" and "Hunger in America" provide an in-depth look at the realities of hunger and food insecurity in the United States. These documentaries shed light on the systemic issues contributing to hunger and showcase the stories of individuals and communities affected by it. 2. News Coverage: News outlets often report on hunger crises and food-related issues around the world. They highlight the causes and consequences of hunger, discuss government policies, and feature interviews with experts and affected individuals. Media coverage helps create public awareness and encourages dialogue on finding solutions. 3. Social Media Campaigns: Organizations and activists leverage social media platforms to raise awareness about hunger and promote initiatives for change. Hashtags like #EndHunger, #ZeroHunger, and #FeedtheWorld are used to share stories, statistics, and calls to action, mobilizing individuals to support organizations working to combat hunger. 4. Photojournalism: Powerful images captured by photojournalists depict the harsh realities of hunger, both globally and locally. These photographs often evoke empathy and inspire action by exposing the human suffering caused by food insecurity. 5. Fictional Works: Hunger is also depicted in literature and fictional works. Novels like "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck and "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie portray the impact of hunger on characters and communities, providing a deeper understanding of its consequences.

1. According to the World Food Programme, approximately 811 million people worldwide were undernourished in 2020, which is an increase of around 161 million people compared to the previous year. This significant rise in hunger is primarily attributed to factors such as conflict, climate change, and economic instability. 2. In the United States, despite being one of the wealthiest nations, hunger remains a pressing issue. According to Feeding America, a network of food banks, around 42 million Americans, including 13 million children, were food insecure in 2020. This means they did not have consistent access to enough nutritious food for an active and healthy life. 3. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by hunger. The United Nations reports that women make up around 60% of the world's chronically hungry population. This disparity is due to various factors, including limited access to resources, gender inequalities, and cultural norms that often prioritize men's food consumption over women's.

Hunger is an essential topic to explore and write an essay about due to its significant impact on individuals, communities, and global development. It is a complex issue with multifaceted causes and far-reaching consequences, making it crucial to address and understand. By writing an essay on hunger, one can raise awareness about its prevalence, challenge misconceptions, and advocate for effective solutions. Firstly, examining the causes of hunger, such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and conflict, allows for a comprehensive understanding of the issue. It sheds light on the structural and systemic factors that perpetuate food insecurity, helping to identify areas for intervention and policy reform. Secondly, analyzing the effects of hunger on individuals and societies reveals its devastating consequences. Hunger leads to malnutrition, impaired physical and cognitive development, increased susceptibility to diseases, and compromised economic productivity. Exploring these effects highlights the urgency of addressing hunger as a fundamental human rights issue. Furthermore, discussing solutions to hunger is essential in order to find sustainable and inclusive approaches. This may involve supporting small-scale agriculture, promoting gender equality, improving access to education and healthcare, and implementing effective social safety nets.

1. Cannon, W. B., & Washburn, A. L. (1912). An explanation of hunger. American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content, 29(5), 441-454. (https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/ajplegacy.1912.29.5.441) 2. Sanchez, P. A., & Swaminathan, M. S. (2005). Cutting world hunger in half. Science, 307(5708), 357-359. (https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.1109057) 3. Rosenzweig, C., & Parry, M. L. (1994). Potential impact of climate change on world food supply. https://www.nature.com/articles/367133a0 Nature, 367(6459), 133-138. 4. Roser, M., & Ritchie, H. (2019). Hunger and undernourishment. Our World in Data. (https://ourworldindata.org/hunger-and-undernourishment?utm_campaign=The%20Preface&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Revue%20newsletter) 5. Bruch, H. (1969). Hunger and instinct. The Journal of nervous and mental disease, 149(2), 91-114. (https://journals.lww.com/jonmd/Citation/1969/08000/HUNGER_AND_INSTINCT.2.aspx) 6. Uvin, P. (1994). The state of world hunger. Nutrition Reviews, 52(5), 151-161. (https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article-abstract/52/5/151/1873694) 7. Aiken, W., & LaFollette, H. (1996). World hunger and morality (No. Ed. 2). Prentice-Hall Inc.. (https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/19961803322) 8. Dyson, T. (1999). World food trends and prospects to 2025. Proceedings of the National academy of Sciences, 96(11), 5929-5936. (https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.96.11.5929) 9. Nah, S. L., & Chau, C. F. (2010). Issues and challenges in defeating world hunger. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224410001779 Trends in food science & technology, 21(11), 544-557. 10. Pimentel, D., McNair, M., Buck, L., Pimentel, M., & Kamil, J. (1997). The value of forests to world food security. Human ecology, 25, 91-120. (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1021987920278)

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causes and effects of hunger essay

Home / Essay Samples / Social Issues / World Hunger / The Major Causes Of World Hunger

The Major Causes Of World Hunger

  • Category: Social Issues
  • Topic: Hunger , World Food Crisis , World Hunger

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