What Regions of the World Are Hit Hardest by Food Insecurity?
Many of us have never had to go to bed hungry. We look at a fully-stocked refrigerator and think, “there’s nothing to eat.” But for many families all over the world, this is not the case.
Today, nearly 9% of the global population, that’s about 690 million people, go hungry every day.. This number has been slowly increasing since 2014 and is expected to hit more than 840 million people by 2030.
Additionally, according to the World Food Programme, more than 41 million people worldwide are currently on the brink of famine. This means that the slightest change or misstep in the food supply chain could result in starvation.
Where are the regions with the worst food insecurity? Why are these particular regions so drastically affected? Is there anything we can do to help solve the problem?
Check Out the Food Insecurity Map
The World Food Programme’s hunger map shows the reality of just how widespread the hunger problem is. By their standards, about 821 million people currently don’t get enough food for proper health and nutrition. In countries like North Korea, Haiti, Yemen, and several African nations, more than 35% of the population suffers from undernourishment. Even more alarming, much of Asia and Africa falls in the 5-34.9% range.
By comparison, the US reports less than 2.5% undernourishment. But even in our country, there are communities where hunger is a real problem. Feeding America’s map of Food Insecurity in the United States shows several counties where at least 30% of the population face hunger on a daily basis. With an average meal cost of $3.13 per serving and more than 35 million food-insecure people, the price to feed the hungry of our nation tops $18 billion as things currently stand, and we’re one of the least hungry countries in the world.
What Causes Food Insecurity?
In the US, most people assume that food insecurity is caused by a single problem — poverty. While this is most often the truth, the issue is far more complex when examined closely. In fact, according to Feeding America, “Though food insecurity is closely related to poverty, not all people living below the poverty line experience food insecurity, and people living above the poverty line can experience food insecurity.”
Hunger is often far more complex outside the US and may be tied to geography rather than wealth.
Many countries around the world cannot feed their populations because the climate or soil conditions within the country are not conducive to agriculture. In these places, nearly everything must be imported, often at a high price that the average person cannot afford to pay.
In other areas, conflict may drastically affect food distribution. This means that if you’re on the losing side of the fight, you may not have access to healthy foods regardless of your ability to pay for them under normal circumstances.
And, of course, the recent global pandemic has not helped. As the US and many other countries begin to return to a semblance of normalcy, there are many regions that still have no access to vaccines or proper medical care. While we struggle with shortages of some of our favorite items, other countries have trouble gaining access to even basic staples.
What Can We Do?
The good news is that all is not lost and there are many charities and companies working to solve the food insecurity problem.
To fight food insecurity around the world, often the best thing you can do is to donate to the charities currently working to combat hunger. The Borgen Project, a non-profit organization aimed at addressing global poverty, evaluated many global food charities and selected a top five. Consider donating to or volunteering for some of these charities to help hungry people around the globe.
In the US, there are likely hungry people in your community. Organizations like Feeding America offer help on a national scale, but there are also many smaller local charities that need your help. Google has a helpful tool to find food help in your area, but it’s also an excellent way of finding charities that could use your volunteered time or money.
If you’re an entrepreneur who would rather do something to support hungry families directly, you might consider bringing healthy food production into communities where it is most needed. This can be challenging in areas where the climate or soil isn’t conducive to growing or urban settings where space is premium.
Fortunately, Eden Green Technology offers a solution that works in any climate, regardless of season, weather, or soil, and only takes an acre and a half of space, less than many big box stores. Our hydroponic greenhouses are protected from harsh weather conditions and can produce 11-13 harvests per year — that’s 500 tons of leafy greens per greenhouse! They’re even helpful in fighting poverty, with each greenhouse offering 30 full-time jobs with a living wage and full benefits. Contact us to learn more, or sign up for a virtual greenhouse tour today.