Hunger: The World’s Most Solvable Problem

Hunger is one of the most severe ongoing crises facing our planet. Nearly 150 million children, or approximately 1 in 5, are chronically malnourished. Hunger is dangerous, especially for children. It can result in malnutrition, stunted growth and in extreme cases starvation.

But there is hope. The United Nations World Food Program called hunger “the world’s greatest solvable problem.” Here’s why: countries that experience hunger are usually facing other problems concurrently, which worsen the issue of hunger. Three worldwide issues contribute to hunger that, with simple steps, we can work to correct.

Three Solvable Causes of Hunger

Issue 1: Poverty

Poverty in the United States is a leading cause of food insecurity and hunger. Food insecurity and hunger go hand-in-hand, and reducing one can help reduce the other. When families have enough food, parents can put more money towards education, childcare, and health. All these things can help families break out of the cycle of poverty.

Poverty around the world often looks different than in the US, but it is no less solvable. Education, programs like Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), farming support initiatives and clean water initiatives can all help reduce poverty. Ultimately, these measures help communities become more stable and self-sufficient.

Issue 2: Food waste

The Food and Drug Administration estimates that between 30-40% of the food supply in the US goes to waste each year. That adds up to a staggering 133 billion pounds in our country alone.

Worldwide, over one billion tons are wasted. Individuals can take steps to reduce their own food waste. (Reducing your personal food waste can also help manage a tight budget!) And many restaurants, grocery stores and food manufacturers have started initiatives to donate rather than discard unsold food.

Issue 3: Inequality in education

Hunger hurts a child’s education. When kids are hungry, they can’t focus on what’s going on in the classroom. As a result, students who are hungry don’t perform as well academically as those who have food. Less education and worse grades hurt their chances of finding a well-paying job, keeping them trapped in the cycle of poverty and hunger.

When children have access to the food and other resources they need to thrive in school, they are better able to avoid hunger later in life as well.

Hunger remains one of the most pressing issues faced by the world, affecting millions of people every day. However, it is a problem that we have the power to solve. By addressing the root causes of hunger—poverty, food waste, and inequality in education—we can make significant strides towards a world where everyone has enough to eat. Your support of Feed the Children is already making a difference in the lives of people here, and across the world.