Hunger: An issue for the ages<\/p>\n
Jayesh Taunk, Grade 10, JIS<\/p>\n
For most of us, food has always been taken for granted, like
\nthe sun rising in the east. But are we living in a dream world?<\/p>\n
Passing through the streets of Jakarta, the swarms of poor and
\nhungry people begging at traffic lights, on the railways and
\nalmost everywhere we go, are startlingly noticeable.<\/p>\n
To the blessed, hunger is simply not an issue compared to the
\n852 million other people around the world -- more than the
\ncombined populations of the United States, Japan and Canada --
\nfor whom it is a matter of life and death.<\/p>\n
To us, hunger simply means having a churning stomach, but it
\nis truly understood as not consuming enough energy and nutrients
\nto meet the body's nutritional requirements. Consequently, a
\nmyriad of horrific and deadly conditions follow.<\/p>\n
A pressing issue quietly claiming more lives each year than
\nAIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined, hunger is continuously
\novershadowed by issues such as global warming and the perennial
\nheavyweight, terrorism.<\/p>\n
Strangled by poverty and living on the razor thin edge between
\nlife and death on the streets of New Delhi, Beijing and
\nIslamabad, thousands are forced to scavenge just to survive.<\/p>\n
Their entire family is dreadfully underprivileged, the poor
\nlack education and the nudge that can give them a start in life.
\nNot having these, they are forced to beg, work in sweatshops and
\ntake upon such lowly jobs with shocking wages -- barely enough to
\nexist on. In such conditions, how can one be expected to stave
\noff death from starvation?<\/p>\n
The immediate effect of hunger is the emergence of
\nmalnutrition. This is when nutrients are not derived from day-to-
\nday consumption, resulting in the weakening of the body's
\nphysical and mental states. The most prevalent forms in the world
\ntoday are iron and iodine deficiency.<\/p>\n
In the human body, iron is present in all cells and acts as a
\ncarrier of oxygen from the lungs to the tissues in the form of
\nhemoglobin. But a lack of iron impairs this vital function and
\nleads to fatal conditions, such as anemia. Iodine deficiency,
\nequally dangerous, is the leading cause of brain damage and
\nretardation in children today, [and is] known to affect some 780
\nmillion people worldwide.<\/p>\n
After a prolonged period of malnutrition, the hungry become
\nmore prone to disease and have a longer road to recovery, as
\ntheir immune systems have been heavily weakened.<\/p>\n
With no regular food intake, the body's fat reserves become
\nthe primary source of energy and when exhausted, proteins take up
\nthat role. Muscles disappear, flesh becomes loose, and skin turns
\nthick, cold and flaky. It is now that the hungry become
\nfrighteningly thin and fragile.<\/p>\n
Soon, vital organs such as the liver and intestines shrink and
\ndrastically drop in effectiveness and, ultimately, death follows.
\nSuch are horrors that no man should have to face. But this is the
\nreality faced by 852 million people. It is this that causes
\n24,000 people -- 18,000 of them children -- to lose their lives
\neach day.<\/p>\n
Turning a blind eye to hunger will never be the solution to
\none of the world's most widespread issues. The alleviation of
\npoverty and the access to education for all are starting points
\nin eliminating hunger.<\/p>\n
Several organizations, including UNICEF [United Nations
\nChildren's Fund] and the World Food Programme (WFP) have heralded
\nthe call for help, and are addressing the issue on a global
\nscale. In several parts of Africa, the WFP has set up programs to
\nhelp tackle the crippling hunger. Offering free education and a
\nmeal to those who attend, they give children a chance to think
\nabout things other than where their next meal will come from.
\nAnnually, they bring food to nearly 90 million people in 18
\ndifferent countries.<\/p>\n
Not only organizations, but also summits, such as the recent
\nAsia-Africa Summit, are doing their part. At the Asia-Africa
\nmeet, many urgent topics were discussed, culminating in the
\nsigning of the NAASP Statement, which calls for closer
\ncooperation to overcome challenges such as hunger and poverty
\nthat both continents face. Concrete action needs to follow, but
\nthe signing of the statement is an initial step.<\/p>\n
Locally, many volunteer organizations like Emmanuel's
\nOrphanage are also playing a major role by providing free
\neducation, housing and food to hundreds of orphaned children.
\nAlthough not as extensive as the efforts of the WFP, individuals
\nlike Emmanuel are a shining example of what just one person can
\naccomplish.<\/p>\n
With the combined efforts of various bodies, regional meets,
\nand local volunteers, in the future, simply having a square meal
\na day may become a reality, rather than a distant dream for the
\nhungry. This is a challenge facing us all.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/hunger-an-issue-for-the-ages-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}