1 of 9

Write now Article Tools

Many of us living in the upper class nations of the world would most likely never experience what true hunger is. Hunger maybe what we consider the result of missing a meal or when our stomach growls, restless for food to fill its void. But hunger is not simply this. It is a craving or urgent need for food or a specific nutrient such that weakness debilitation or pain is brought about by a prolonged lack of food. I don't believe many of us consumers have gone hungry' to the extent of agonizing pain.

No other disaster can compare to the devastation of hunger as the number of people who die every two days from it is equivalent to those killed instantly from the Hiroshima bomb in Japan. About 840 million people in the world are hungry. Ninety-five percent of these people live in a developing country (Appendix 4). Hunger is not simply caused by an insufficient food supply, overpopulation or by nature's wrath. It also cannon be solved instantly by wealth, technology or by democracy. Talking about hunger also means addressing poverty population growth, international economy, development, employment, agriculture and energy resources. Similarly, if we want to eliminate famine, we need to first understand the economic, social, ideological, political, philosophical, cultural and psychological perspective. Hunger is caused by global and social inequality between developed and developing countries. Trade policies, foreign aid and inefficient development programs usually result in developed nations taking advantage of developing nation rather than helping them.

Many may think there isn't enough food in the world to support everyone and such that in 2002 it resulted to having 840 million people in the world suffering from hunger and its effects. It is a common misconception that there isn't enough food to go around, but as we go about everyday eating carelessly, pacing up and down aisles upon aisles of shelves, bulging out with food from all over the world, how can we assume that? "Enough food is available to provide at least 4.3 pounds of food per person a day worldwide: two and half pounds of grain, beans and nuts, about a pound of fruits and vegetables, and nearly another pound of meat, milk and eggs" (12 Myths). Trade policies, that emphasize deregulation and privatization, have led to a decline in economic growth in third world countries. Thus solving the hunger crisis is hindered as developing nations struggle to compete with capitalist nations who yield stronger

• 1
• 2
• 3
• ...
• 7
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about World hunger: Causes and effects?
We want to hear your view. Write now!