India has a level of hunger that is serious

Posted On: 2021-10-16 11:54:34

World Food Day 2021 is marked all over the world on 16th October. It is an initiative by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. After the pandemic which hit the world in 2020, this is the second time that World Food Day is falling at a time when countries all over the world are spinning from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. This global event signifies a day calling for worldwide awareness and collective action to fight the issue of hunger among the hungry, and ensure healthy diets for all. 

 

The world food day theme this year, 2021 is – “Our actions are our future- Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life.”

 

India, with a population of over 1.3 billion, has seen enormous growth in the past two decades as a whole. In spite of this phenomenal industrial and economic growth and India producing sufficient food to feed its population but is unable to provide access to food to a large number of people, especially underprivileged, women and children. 

 

 

According to FAO estimates in ‘The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, 2020 report, 189.2 million people are undernourished in India. By this measure, 14% of the population is undernourished in India. Also, 51.4% of women of reproductive age between 15 to 49 years are anaemic. Further according to the report 34.7% of the children aged under five in India are stunted (too short for their age), while 20% suffer from wasting, meaning their weight is too low for their height. Malnourished children have a higher risk of death from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, and malaria. 

 

 

In the 2021 Global Hunger Index, India ranks 101st out of the 116 countries with sufficient. With a score of 27.5, India has a level of hunger that is serious. Based on three leading indicators - prevalence of wasting and stunting in children under 5 years, under 5 child mortality rate, and the proportion of undernourished in the population. More than 20 crore Indians including children sleep on empty stomachs every day. Understand this, India wastes nearly 40 per cent of the food produced every year due to fragmented food systems and inefficient supply chains yet more than 7000 Indians die per day due to hunger.

 

 

Most of the crisis about food and nutrition doesn't occur because of the lack of food, but the plight of such types occurs due to lack of access to food. In marginalized communities staying in a distant location, there is the problem of transportation due to which the requisite quantity of food fails to reach the needy. A major section of the helpless population faces insecurity related to food. 

 

Several organisations, NGOs, Crowdfunding platforms have pledged their devotion to food security, availability and a nutritious diet for the weaker section of the society.

 

The main purpose behind this day is to promote the message that food is a primary, basic and fundamental human right. This day also spreads awareness regarding undernourishment, malnutrition and obesity, both of which can lead to serious health complications even in the life of an average person. 

 

If the waste generated is dealt with pre-planning and caution, India can ensure zero food waste movement. Feed people with edible food: Edible food should be made available every day, for free to the underprivileged in need. The option of distribution through food banks can also be explored, as can tie-ups with private sectors so that food can reach hunger hotspots and feed the hungry. Only the remaining food waste should be composted. More food banks should be opened up where underprivileged people can fill their empty stomachs every night.

 

Filaantro has partnered with the Child Help Foundation (CHF) to support and help in feeding and counselling underprivileged children on a daily basis. Mission: ZERO HUNGER is one of the important programs run by CHF which is aimed at achieving the UN SDG2 goal of ending hunger to achieve food security, improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. Goal 2 seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger in all its forms by 2030 and to achieve food security. The aim is to ensure that everyone everywhere has enough good-quality food to lead a healthy life. The “Zero Hunger” project was initiated with a dream to erase malnutrition among underprivileged children. 

 

 

Most of these children are living on the streets and eating scraps from the leftovers or are begging for food. These innocent lives have to struggle through their day to earn their daily bread. Please try helping those who are in desperate need but not able to do anything to overcome it. Be the person that spreads smiles all around. Do not let an innocent soul sleep on an empty stomach. (Read more: link)

 

“There are people in the world so hungry that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Author : Lubdha Dhanopia