Introduction
Food security has been a major problem for mankind for centuries, causing millions of deaths, malnutrition, economic collapse and conflict. Today, many people are experiencing food shortages and its effects. Food shortages arise from multiple factors, a major cause being poor governance in nations, which are linked to corruption, failing political affiliations and economic breakdowns (Atkins, 2017). As it is generally thought, food security has not been majorly as a source of drought, but a governance issue. This survey assesses the changing distribution of world hunger over time, the problem behind world hunger, and possible strategic solutions to curb this problem.
Data Description
To establish the underlying problem well enough, it is worth analysing the existing data in order to compare the trends in world hunger. In this case, we do a comparison of the world hunger in 1990, comparing it to most recent distribution in 2012, between 10 countries across the world.
It is clearly seen that the total number of people who are experiencing world hunger has dropped from 1015 million to 805 million people. However, even with this trend, a closer look reveals that some countries have increasing trends in hunger. The following countries had an increase in hunger: Sub-Saharan Africa (17.3% to 26.6%), Southern Asia (28.8% to 34.3%), Western Asia (0.8% to 2.3%), and North Africa (0.6% to 0.7%); all other countries in the study contributed to this decline in world hunger. The next section draws insights from the data characteristics revealed.
Problem
The problems that are faced with countries with hunger levels in this study are majorly a sluggish growth of the economy (which is majorly accused on governance) and health problems.
Sluggish growth of the economy
A close link exists between poverty and malnutrition, and disadvantaged persons often lack access to education due to financial restrictions.
Additionally, malnourished persons may have difficulty concentrating since their brain does not get the nutrition it need to function properly, which may result in a lack of understanding on the subject (Siddiqui, et al., 2020). As a consequence, a lack of education may cause these persons to become trapped in poverty as a result of their inability to find well-paying employment.
Due to a lack of food, many are driven to move in search of food and support. As a consequence, radical groups may spring up as individuals attempt to survive in their current circumstances. In the vast majority of cases, radical movements result in undesirable outcomes such as conflict and opposition to authority (Purvis, et al., 2019). These interrelated problems hinder economic growth and keep the majority of people’s living standards at or below the poverty line.
Health problems
Hunger leads to malnutrition, which in turn leads to an array of other health issues. Malnutrition is particularly harmful to children, but it can also result in a number of health issues in adults. We are more prone to suffer from major mental health problems if our bodies do not receive appropriate nutrition or if they are low in specific vitamins or minerals, for example (Gundersen & Ziliak, 2015). Aside from causing nutritional deficiencies, malnutrition can also create more significant physical health problems such as circulatory failure, which can be fatal in severe cases. It is also possible that malnutrition could result in organ failure, particularly if the nutritional deficiency is extreme, and that malnutrition will result in strokes or heart attacks in severe cases.
The total life expectancy of those who are severely malnourished may be significantly reduced. Individuals living in destitute developing countries, for example, have a much shorter life expectancy than those living in wealthy Western nations (RG & S., 1989). This gap in life expectancy can be explained in part by the fact that malnutrition as a result of poverty leads to a range of health problems, some of which are fatal, and so reduces the life expectancy of those who are afflicted by it.
Solution
To curb world hunger, this survey establishes that corruptive activities must be mitigated, and redistribution of wealth must be encouraged throughout the world. Only this way, will the underlying problems from hunger be solved. Under these two major factors, more and more solutions will automatically emerge. For example, with redistribution of wealth in pace, countries will be able to adapt to climate changes and employ methods like smart agriculture; a collection of practices designed to assist farmers in adapting and becoming more robust to the effects of global warming. Diversifying crop types, protecting natural resources, and constructing low-water sack gardens are some of the measures being used.
Evaluation
In this section, I evaluate the validity of curbing corruption and redistributing wealth to fight world hunger.
On curbing corruptive governance, anti-corruption measures must be implemented by all governments throughout the globe in order to tackle the malnutrition epidemic. Among these efforts is the fight against corruption not just inside their own country, but also in neighbouring nations. Commerce with corrupt nations should be restricted until their political systems have been rectified (UK Department for International Development, 2015). This has resulted in the fact that these nations would suffer substantial long-term economic costs if they do not overhaul their institutional structures. As a result, curbing immoral behaviour will aid in the resolution of the starvation situation.
On redistribution of wealth, governments must work together to achieve a more equitable distribution of wealth in their different countries. In many poor developing nations, a tiny number of powerful elites have sway over almost all of the country’s resources. When it comes to the general population, redistribution may be able to assist reduce poverty and therefore solve the malnutrition issue. As a consequence, all forms of gender discrimination will be immediately eliminated (TTOENDE Inequality, 2013). Women must take a more active role in economic activity and decision-making than they have in previous generations. Women’s empowerment empowers them to pursue higher education and make a positive contribution to society.
Conclusion
World hunger, in these modern times, is not only a matter of climatic conditions, but other accompanying situations as discussed in this paper. The issues have been established to arise from basic weaknesses from governance and poverty, which give rise to other negative issues that foster food shortages. The provided solutions will work, however in a system where the main issue with hunger arises. With references to the data used in this study, the countries with increased hunger trends will be able to reduce hunger, by vouching for good governance and enhance wealth distribution.
References
Atkins, P. J., 2017. Why hunger is on the rise in the world, and what can be done about it, Durham: Durham University.
Dixon, J. A., Gibbon, D. P. & Gullive, A., 2001. Farming Systems and Poverty: Improving Farmers’ Livelihoods in a Changing World. 1st ed. Washington DC: FAO.
Gundersen, C. & Ziliak, J. P., 2015. Food Insecurity And Health Outcomes. Health Affairs Volume 34, No. 11: Food Health.
Purvis, B., Mao, Y. & Robinson, D., 2019. Three pillars of sustainability: in search of conceptual origins, s.l.: Sustainabilty Science.
RG, R. & S., W., 1989. Life expectancy in less developed countries: socioeconomic development or public health? s.l.: J Biosoc Sci.
Siddiqui, F., Salam, R. A., Lassi, Z. S. & Das, J. K., 2020. The Intertwined Relationship Between Malnutrition and Poverty, s.l.: Front Public Health.
TTOENDE Inequality, 2013. Even it up: Time to end extreme inequality, s.l.: OXFAM.
UK Department for International Development, 2015. Why corruption matters: understanding causes, effects and how to address them, s.l.: Department of International Development.
Appendix
Figure 1: The data used in this study, showing the change in 10 countries; percentage of people affected by hunger.
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