HUNGER & POVERTY : MY GREATEST BATTLE

Guys, take a look at these pics. These are some of the millions of starving children in Africa and some parts of the world. Actually, the first time I saw these pics and learned about the widespread poverty and hunger in some parts of the world, I didn't notice that I was in tears. I can't believe that there are people who can't even eat a single meal in a day. I can't believe that a child dies in every three seconds due to extreme poverty. I can't believe that with all the advances in technology, with all the wealth of the powerful nations, with all the millions and billions of dollars of the rich and famous, there still exist of people who continues to survived and fight for a days meal. The wild animals are far better off because they have food in the jungle. But for these very unfortunate people living in what we call a civilized world, it's very intriguing and amazing why these things happen. It's very shameful for all the people who are aware of these but did nothing. For me, one thing that is missing from most of us is this thing: COMPASSION ! Do you have it , friend? Do you care for these hungry children? To give you an idea how serious is this problem please read  further..

THE WORLD HUNGER & POVERTY PROBLEM: FACTS,FIGURES AND STATISTICS

• Based on global hunger statistics, it is estimated that around 854 million around the world are suffering from hunger and malnutrition, about 100 times as many as those who actually die from it each year.
• The Indian subcontinent has nearly half of the world's hungry people. Africa and the rest of Asia together have approximately 40%, and the remaining hungry people are found in Latin America and other parts of the world.
• Every day, more than 16,000 children die from hunger-related causes--one child every five seconds.
• Every year 15 million children die from hunger. In essence, hunger is the most extreme form of poverty, where individuals or families cannot afford to meet their most basic need for food.
• One in twelve people worldwide is malnourished, including 160 million children under the age of 5 according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture.
• Hunger manifests itself in many ways other than starvation and famine. Most poor people who battle hunger deal with chronic undernourishment and vitamin or mineral deficiencies, which result in stunted growth, weakness and heightened susceptibility to illness.
• Half of all children under five years of age in South Asia and one third of those in sub-Saharan Africa are malnourished.
• About 183 million children weigh less than they should for their age
• Malnutrition is implicated in more than half of all child deaths worldwide.
• In the U.S. hunger and race are related. In 1991 46% of African-American children were chronically hungry, and 40% of Latino children were chronically hungry compared to 16% of white children.
• In the Asian, African and Latin American countries, well over 500 million people are living in what the World Bank has called "absolute poverty"
• According to UNICEF, nearly one in four people, 1.3 billion - a majority of humanity - live on less than $1 per day. Among this group of poor people, many have problems obtaining adequate, nutritious food for themselves and their families. As a result, 820 million people in the developing world are undernourished. They consume less than the minimum amount of calories essential for sound health and growth.
• 3 billion people in the world today struggle to survive on US$2/day.
• The current world population is 7.018 billion people
• Part of the developed or industrialized world is the United States, which consists of about 57 countries with a combined population of about 1 billion, less than one sixth of the world’s population.
• In contrast, approximately 5.1 billion people live in the developing world. This world is made up of about 125 low and middle-income countries in which people generally have a lower standard of living with access to fewer goods and services than people in high-income countries.
• The remaining 0.4 billion live in countries in transition, which include the Baltic states, eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Majority of the victims of hunger are the children and malnutrition is implicated in more than half of all child deaths worldwide. Children who are poorly nourished suffer up to 160 days of illness each year.It is estimated that malnutrition affects 32.5% of children in developing countries. Geographically, 70% of malnourished children live in Asia, 26 % in Africa and 4% in Latin America and the Caribbean. In many cases, their plight began even before birth with a malnourished mother.

Undernourishment negatively affects people’s health, productivity, sense of hope and overall well-being. A lack of food can stunt growth, slow thinking, sap energy, hinder fetal development and contribute to mental retardation.

Economically, the constant securing of food consumes valuable time and energy of poor people, allowing less time for work and earning income.

-Socially, the lack of food erodes relationships and feeds shame so that those most in need of support are often least able to call on it.

There is enough food in the world to feed everyone. Yet, malnutrition and hunger still afflict one out of every seven people on earth. Why? The number of hungry children in Africa could increase by 3.3 million by 2025 unless politicians change their plans, a new report has warned.

It is estimated that for the price of one missile, a school full of hungry children could eat lunch everyday for 5 years.

It was also estimated that the 100 million deaths in the 1990's could have been prevented for the price of ten stealth bombers or what the world spends on its military in two days!

There is enough money in the world to to buy food and feed everyone. Only that its not more or less evenly  or proportionately distributed. The world's 358 billionaires have assets exceeding the combined annual incomes of countries with 45 percent of the world's population according to  UNICEF. The assets of the world's three richest men are more than the combined GNP of all the least developed countries on this planet.

While some progress has been made to improve the life conditions of those in hunger, there still a vast need for awareness, movement, consciousness and action. It is inspiring that others have  similar interests and made the transition from simply wanting to learn about world hunger and poverty to the effort  and much more an attempt towards making a difference. I strongly believe that if one has the strength to fight for once cause; one can find the strength to fight for another. I have come with the conclusion that this issues are not only for one person, for one community, for one town, nor for one nation alone to assimilate, but for the totality of the human race.

This is my biggest battle  in life and the time to get started with this fight against hunger and poverty is now! Join me if you are convinced and truly believe with this cause. Please take action no matter how small it is whether it is by writing to congress to advocate or by making a monetary contribution or by solicitation. If you're an artist, maybe you can stage a concert and donate some of the proceeds. A small way can go a long way. Thank you for your support and interest on spreading awareness!

"If many little people, in many little places, do many little deeds, they can change the face of the Earth!!"