World Hunger Day - May 28
The National UN Volunteers-India
World Hunger Day - May 28, 2024
The theme of of World Hunger Day 2024 is – Thriving mothers. Thriving world. "Women and children are facing malnutrition due to war, famine, climate change and more. Over 1 billion adolescent girls and women suffer from malnutrition today.
Around the world, women and children are facing malnutrition due to war, famine, climate change and more. Over 1 billion adolescent girls and women suffer from malnutrition today. The effects are passed down from mother to child. Malnourished mothers give birth to malnourished babies. These children suffer irreversible impacts on their brain development and futures.
It creates a cycle of chronic hunger.
The challenge extends well beyond conflict zones. Every country in the world is affected by malnutrition. It has developmental, economic, social and medical impacts for individuals and their families, for communities and for countries.
42% of people globally cannot afford a healthy diet (SOFI 2023)
1 billion girls and women globally face undernutrition (UNICEF 2023)
149 million children under 5 are stunted (WHO 2023)
The good news: We can end malnutrition.
This World Hunger Day, we’re shining a light on nutrition for new and expecting mothers. By investing in women, we can break the cycle of hunger and create a world where we all thrive.
What Can We Do?
Women and children, particularly those living in poverty, are most vulnerable to malnutrition. When nutritious food is scarce, families must make hard choices. Girls are fed last and least. Mothers eat after the rest of their family is fed.
In many places around the world, to reduce the burden on their families, girls are married at a young age. They are not fully developed and they begin having babies early. Malnourished girls give birth to malnourished babies. Malnourished babies face delayed development cognitively and physically. These delays prevent them from reaching their full potential.
Thankfully there are many proven interventions and organizations taking action to break this cycle of malnutrition.
The heart of this work is ensuring that mothers have access to information and nutritious foods for themselves and their babies.
8 common practices to ensure that mothers and their children thrive.
1. Nutrition Education
Providing education to women about the importance of proper nutrition, particularly during the first 1000 days of pregnancy and early motherhood, is essential. This includes understanding which foods are rich in essential nutrients and how to incorporate them into their diet.
2. Access to Nutritious Foods
Ensuring that pregnant and lactating women and young toddlers have access to various nutrient-dense foods is key. This may involve improving access to fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and dairy products through subsidies, food assistance programs, or community gardens.
3. Pre- and Postnatal Care
Encouraging regular pre- and postnatal check-ups allows healthcare providers to monitor the nutritional status of pregnant women, maternal mental health and provide appropriate guidance and interventions.
4. Supplementation
In cases where women may not be able to obtain all the necessary nutrients from their diet alone, supplementation with vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, iron, calcium, and vitamin D may be beneficial.
5. Encouraging and supporting breastfeeding
Breast milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies that help protect infants from illness and malnutrition. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of potentially deadly diarrheal diseases in infants, particularly in regions where clean water is scarce.
6. Community Support and Empowerment
Creating supportive communities where women feel empowered to make healthy choices during pregnancy and lactation can be beneficial. This may involve mother support groups, community centers, or peer-to-peer networks where women can share experiences and knowledge about nutrition and motherhood.
7. Addressing Socioeconomic Factors
Addressing underlying socioeconomic factors such as poverty, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare and education can help alleviate barriers to proper nutrition for pregnant and lactating women.
8. Policy and Advocacy
Advocating for policies that prioritize maternal and child nutrition, such as maternity leave policies, support for breastfeeding mothers in the workplace, and programs that provide access to nutritious foods, can help address systemic issues contributing to maternal malnutrition.
Please share activities of your school connecting to Hunger Day -2024 to the WhatsApp number given below for the global view through UN website.9944313953 - India
World Hunger Day History
- World Hunger Day was first observed in 2011 by The Hunger Project, a global organization dedicated to ending world hunger.
- The organization recognized that hunger is not just a problem of lack of food, but also a problem of lack of access to resources and opportunities.
- Since then, World Hunger Day has been observed every year on May 28th, with the aim of raising awareness about the global hunger crisis and inspiring action to end it.
World Hunger Day Activities
There are many activities that individuals and organizations can do to observe World Hunger Day. Here are a few ideas:
- Host a community event or fundraiser to raise awareness and funds for hunger relief organizations.
- Share information on social media about hunger and the ways to address it, using the hashtag #WorldHungerDay.
- Organize a food drive or donate to a local food bank or charity.
- Engage in a hunger-related service project in your community.
- Attend a hunger-related conference or seminar to learn more about the global hunger crisis.
What are the causes of hunger?
Hunger is a complex issue with many underlying causes. Some of the main causes of hunger include:
- Poverty: Lack of financial resources is one of the primary causes of hunger, as people living in poverty are often unable to afford adequate food.
- Climate Change: Climate change and environmental degradation have a significant impact on food production, leading to food shortages and price increases.
- Unequal Distribution of Resources: The unequal distribution of resources, such as land, water, and food, can lead to food insecurity and hunger.
- Lack of Access to Education: Lack of education can limit employment opportunities, perpetuating poverty and hunger.
What Can Be Done To Address Hunger?
What can be Done to Address Hunger? Ending hunger requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying causes of the problem. Here are a few ways to address hunger:
- Invest in Sustainable Agriculture: Investing in sustainable agriculture can improve food production, create jobs, and provide income opportunities for small-scale farmers.
- Address Climate Change: Addressing climate change can help reduce the impact on food production and ensure that food is available for everyone.
- Support Food Banks and Charities: Supporting food banks and charities that provide food assistance to people in need can help alleviate hunger in the short term.
- Promote Education: Providing education and training to individuals can create opportunities for employment and increase income, reducing poverty and hunger.
- Advocate for Policy Change: Advocating for policy change at the local and global levels can help address the root causes of hunger by improving access to resources, such as land, water, and credit, and increasing investment in social protection programs.
- Strengthen Food Systems: Strengthening food systems can improve the distribution and availability of food, reduce food waste, and create new markets for farmers.
- Empower Women: Empowering women can improve access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, which can reduce poverty and improve nutrition for their families.
- Collaborate with Others: Addressing hunger requires collaboration between governments, NGOs, the private sector, and individuals to create sustainable solutions that address the root causes of the problem.
By taking a comprehensive approach, we can work towards a world where no one goes hungry.
10 Things You Can Do to Help End World Hunger
- Donate to a reputable hunger relief organization.
- Volunteer at a local food bank or soup kitchen.
- Reduce food waste at home and in your community.
- Shop locally and support small-scale farmers.
- Use your voice to advocate for policy change and increased funding for hunger relief programs.
- Educate yourself and others about the root causes of hunger.
- Support fair trade products that promote sustainable agriculture and support small-scale farmers.
- Donate to organizations that provide sustainable solutions to hunger, such as microfinance programs and agricultural training.
- Participate in food drives and other hunger relief events in your community.
- Encourage your workplace, school, or community organization to support hunger relief efforts.
10 Interesting Facts About World Hunger Day
Here are some interesting facts about World Hunger Day:
- World Hunger Day was first observed in 2011 by The Hunger Project.
- According to the United Nations, over 690 million people suffer from hunger worldwide.
- Hunger and malnutrition are responsible for the deaths of 3.1 million children under the age of five every year.
- Hunger is not just a problem in developing countries; it also affects people in developed countries, including the United States.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem of hunger, with an estimated 130 million more people experiencing acute food insecurity in 2020.
- Women and children are disproportionately affected by hunger, with women making up 60% of those suffering from hunger.
- Ending hunger by 2030 is one of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
- Hunger can have long-term effects on individuals, including stunted growth, impaired cognitive development, and reduced economic productivity.
- Food waste is a major contributor to hunger, with about one-third of all food produced globally going to waste.
- Addressing hunger requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the root causes of the problem, including poverty, inequality, and lack of access to education and resources.
