Why we should end hunger

Jodesz Gavilan

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Why we should end hunger
What more reason do we need to end hunger? Nearly a billion people worldwide sleep on an empty stomach.

MANILA, Philippines – Hunger is the world’s most solvable problem but it is the most neglected. 

One in every 8 people in the world suffer from hunger. But the effects go beyond that single person. 

Starting the day without the proper nutrients that can help them function effectively, many of the hungry also end the day with an empty stomach. If not properly addressed, it can mean loss of productivity. 

Dr Eliseo Ponce, formerly of the Bureau of Agricultural Research, said that 25% of the total workforce in the Philippines will fail to achieve their full potential because of complications brought about by hunger and nutritional deficiency.

Children who are always hungry and malnourished are also more likely to suffer when it comes to physical and cognitive skills development. The effects, unfortunately, are irreversible especially if unchecked during the first 1,000 days of a child. (READ: Poe: Hunger and malnutrition hinder Filipino youth’s potential)

According to the World Food Programme, the world’s largest humanitarian agency against hunger, the consequences of a lack of proper nutrition will more likely be intergenerational – the effects will be passed on to the children and even the grandchildren of the hungry. (READ: Ending the malnutrition cycle)

Unknown to many, there are a lot of means to help alleviate the situation of nearly a billion people worldwide who go to bed hungry.

In this video, the WFP outlined the actions that people can do to help those in need. From small acts such as supporting local food markets to broader ones such as building food safety nets, the solutions are endless. 

It’s time to end the cycle of hunger and poverty in the world. If this is done effectively, it will result in a lot more positive things for the country – economic growth and more healthy and efficient citizens. (READ: End hunger for today’s and tomorrow’s generation)

But the responsiblity of ending hunger does not solely fall on the shoulders of those in government or those in power. Even private corporations, humanitarian organizations, communities, and even families can contribute to the fight against hunger and malnutrition. (READ: #HungerProject: The key to solving hunger in our lifetime)

Through proper collaboration, no child will have to wake up worrying what he’ll have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in his entire lifetime. – Rappler.com 

How else can we help fight hunger? Send your stories and ideas to move.ph@rappler.com. Be part of the solution, be part of the #HungerProject.

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Natsu Ando

author

Jodesz Gavilan

Jodesz Gavilan is a writer and researcher for Rappler and its investigative arm, Newsbreak. She covers human rights and impunity beats, producing in-depth and investigative reports particularly on the quest for justice of victims of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and war on dissent.