One person dies of hunger every four seconds: NGOs 

A shocking 345 million people are now experiencing severe hunger. The number has more than doubled since 2019 

One person dies of hunger every four seconds. More than 200 NGOs warned Tuesday and urged definite internal action to “end the spiralling global hunger crisis”. Now the hunger has hit new heights.

The issue was addressed in an open letter to the world’s leaders. World leaders gathered in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Around 238 organisations gathered there from 75 countries. 

The organisations included Oxfam, CARE International, Save the Children International, Plan International, Action Against Hunger, and Yemen Family Care Association. They expressed anger at skyrocketing hunger levels.

The organisation said in a statement, “A staggering 345 million people are now experiencing acute hunger, a number that has more than doubled since 2019.”

They also added, “Despite promises from world leaders to never allow famine again in the 21st century. Famine is once more imminent in Somalia. Around the world, 50 million people are on the brink of starvation in 45 countries”.

There are up to 19,700 people who pass away from starvation every day. Additionally, the organisations emphasised that one person dies of hunger every four seconds.

“It is abysmal that with all the technology in agriculture and harvesting techniques today, we are still talking about famine in the 21st century,” said Mohanna Ahmed Ali Eljabaly from the Yemen Family Care Association. The person is one of the letter’s signatories.

Furthermore, he said, “This is not about one country or one continent, and hunger never has only one cause. This is about the injustice of the whole of humanity”.

“We must not wait a moment longer to focus both on providing immediate life-saving food and longer-term support so people can take charge of their futures and provide for themselves and their families”.

A 32-year-old mother, Sumaya lives in the Somali region of Ethiopia. She lives with her four children. “No water, no food, a hopeless life,” said Sumaya. Sumaya’s children are starving. They are on the edge of death. If her children do not get some food, they can die.

Why is one person dying of hunger every 4 seconds? 

The main reasons for the global hunger crisis are social injustice, poverty, gender inequality, climate change, conflict, and economic stocks. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is also a reason. Furthermore, the crisis in Ukraine has increased the cost of living and food prices.

People with power and money can change this scenario. They must come forward and prevent this. Otherwise, people will die. Hunger and poor nutrition are responsible. People die because their bodies lack basic nutrients.

Following COVID-19, Yemen’s position significantly deteriorated. The immune systems of its people are worn out. There is a food crisis in some nations. Many individuals are starving because they have nothing to eat. A food crisis is also occurring in India.

The percentage of malnourished persons worldwide has decreased from 15% in the years 2000–2004 to 9.9% in 2020. Globally, 829 million people lack adequate nutrition.

From 33 percent of children under the age of five in 2000 to 21.3 percent in 2019, the percentage of stunting—children who are too short for their age as a result of chronic malnutrition—has decreased.

The global hunger situation is getting worse every day. The planet generates enough food to feed all 7.5 billion people. Despite this, 1 in 9 individuals experiences hunger on a daily basis. 47 counties would not even achieve Low Hunger status by 2030, according to the Global Hunger Index for 2021.

Hunger and poverty are mutually exclusive. Rainfall in some regions can ruin harvests. According to the World Bank, climate change could force more than 100 million people into poverty over the next ten years.

A lack of food access is only one aspect of hunger. Lack of access to the proper nutrients is the cause. Humans require a variety of diets that offer many important health advantages. Poor families frequently eat just one or two primary foods.

Which indicates that they are lacking in important macronutrients and vitamins. The effects of hunger can still be felt by them. Despite the complexity of the causes of hunger, progress is conceivable.