A global hunger crisis: how did we get here?

CARE
9 Nov 202203:40
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe world faces a dire hunger crisis affecting nearly 90 countries, with food shortages and soaring fuel and fertilizer prices. Climate change, extreme droughts, and the 2020 pandemic exacerbated the situation, leading to a 161 million increase in people facing hunger. The 2022 conflict between Russia and Ukraine, key food suppliers, further disrupted global grain supply and trade, causing food prices to spike. CARE is actively combating this crisis through immediate food aid, nutritional support, and sustainable agricultural practices, urging collective action to prevent future famine and ensure a well-fed future.

Takeaways
  • 🌍 There is an ongoing hunger crisis in nearly 90 countries, affecting tens of millions of families due to food shortages and the high cost of fuel and fertilizer.
  • 🚜 Farmers are struggling to plant crops due to these challenges, exacerbating the crisis.
  • 👩‍👧‍👦 Women and girls, who often eat last and least, are particularly at risk of not getting enough food.
  • 🤰 Pregnant women face increased risks like miscarriages, and mothers struggle to nurse, while babies and young girls are not receiving the necessary nutrients for proper development.
  • 🌱 The causes of hunger are complex and include extreme drought, climate change, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 📉 In 2020, the number of people facing hunger increased by 161 million, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
  • 💥 The war between Russia and Ukraine has disrupted global food supplies, cutting off nearly 30% of the world's grain supply and causing a spike in food prices.
  • 🌾 The conflict has also affected the trade of Russian fertilizers and fuel, further impacting food production and affordability.
  • 📈 Today, 345 million people are at high risk for severe malnutrition, a number equivalent to the entire population of the United States plus 200 million more people than before the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • 🛑 Responding to extreme hunger is critical, but so is supporting those on the brink of malnutrition to grow more food.
  • 🌱 CARE is actively combating the hunger crisis through immediate assistance, supporting farmers with climate-smart agriculture, and advocating for government action to prevent future hunger.
Q & A

  • What is the current situation regarding the hunger crisis globally?

    -There is an ongoing hunger crisis in nearly 90 countries, with tens of millions of families facing starvation due to food shortages and the skyrocketing price of fuel and fertilizer.

  • Why are women and girls particularly affected by the hunger crisis?

    -Women and girls often eat last and least in families, making them more vulnerable to not getting enough food during times of scarcity, which can lead to health issues such as miscarriages and difficulties in nursing.

  • What are the primary causes of the current hunger crisis?

    -The causes are multifaceted, including extreme drought, climate change, the economic impact of COVID-19, the war between Russia and Ukraine disrupting food and fertilizer supplies, and escalating costs of food.

  • How did the situation worsen in 2020?

    -In 2020, the world faced a massive increase in hunger, with up to 161 million more people facing hunger, primarily due to the pandemic's economic and social impacts.

  • What was the impact of the war between Russia and Ukraine on global food supplies?

    -The war disrupted farming and food production, cutting off nearly 30% of the world's grain supply and causing a significant increase in the cost of food due to trade disruptions in Russian exports like fertilizer and fuel.

  • How many people are considered at high risk for severe malnutrition currently?

    -Currently, 345 million people are at high risk for severe malnutrition, which is equivalent to the entire population of the United States plus an additional 200 million people compared to pre-COVID-19 levels.

  • What is the role of CARE in addressing the hunger crisis?

    -CARE is fighting the hunger crisis by providing immediate food and nutritional assistance, helping poor farmers grow more food, and supporting humanitarian assistance through food rations, cash assistance, and treatment for malnutrition.

  • What are some of the long-term solutions CARE is implementing to combat the crisis?

    -CARE is promoting climate-smart agriculture, efficient use of fertilizers, and renewable energy sources for irrigation and food storage to help farmers ensure a harvest and combat the crisis sustainably.

  • How long could it take for food supplies to return to normal levels after the war in Ukraine ends?

    -Even if the war ends today, it could take at least three years for food supplies to return to normal levels and for prices to stabilize.

  • What can individuals do to support a well-fed future for all?

    -Individuals can support organizations like CARE that are working to alleviate hunger and promote food security. They can also raise awareness and advocate for government actions to prevent extreme hunger and support sustainable food production.

  • Why is it crucial to help people on the cusp of malnutrition grow more food?

    -Helping these individuals grow more food is crucial as it not only addresses immediate hunger but also empowers communities to become more self-sufficient and resilient against future food crises.

Outlines
00:00
🌾 Global Hunger Crisis

The script discusses a severe hunger crisis affecting nearly 90 countries, exacerbated by food shortages, high fuel and fertilizer prices, and the impact of climate change. It highlights the particular vulnerability of women and girls, who often eat last and least, leading to health issues such as miscarriages and difficulties in nursing. The crisis has been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has disrupted global grain supplies and trade, causing a spike in food costs. The script emphasizes the urgency and widespread nature of the crisis, with 345 million people at high risk for severe malnutrition, and calls for immediate action to prevent starvation and support farmers in growing food sustainably.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Hunger crisis
A hunger crisis refers to a situation where a large number of people in a region or globally are facing extreme food shortages. In the context of the video, it is a critical issue affecting nearly 90 countries, with food shortages and the rising cost of essential commodities like fuel and fertilizer exacerbating the problem. The script mentions that tens of millions of families are facing starvation, highlighting the severity of the hunger crisis.
💡Starvation
Starvation is the extreme lack of food, leading to malnutrition and potentially death. The video emphasizes the plight of poor farmers who cannot plant their crops due to the crisis, which in turn leads to widespread starvation. The script describes the dire consequences for vulnerable groups such as women, girls, pregnant women, and babies, who suffer the most from the lack of food.
💡Food shortages
Food shortages occur when the supply of food is insufficient to meet the demand, often leading to increased prices and scarcity. The video script discusses how food shortages are a significant factor in the current hunger crisis, with the impact of climate change, conflict, and the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic contributing to the problem.
💡Climate change
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature and typical weather patterns. The script mentions extreme droughts and the effects of climate change as precursors to the hunger crisis, indicating how environmental factors can lead to reduced agricultural productivity and food availability.
💡Fertilizer
Fertilizer is a substance added to soil to provide nutrients essential for plant growth. The video script points out the skyrocketing price of fertilizer as a contributing factor to the hunger crisis, making it difficult for farmers to afford these essential inputs for crop production.
💡Russian-Ukrainian war
The Russian-Ukrainian war refers to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began in 2014 and escalated in 2022. The video script highlights the impact of this war on global food security, as both countries are significant suppliers of food and agricultural products. The disruption caused by the war has led to a reduction in grain supply and increased food prices.
💡Grain supply
Grain supply refers to the availability of staple grains such as wheat, rice, and corn, which are crucial for global food security. The script indicates that nearly 30% of the world's grain supply was cut off due to the war, which has had a profound effect on food availability and prices worldwide.
💡Malnutrition
Malnutrition is a condition that results from an inadequate or imbalanced intake of nutrients. The video script discusses the risk of severe malnutrition for 345 million people, which is a direct consequence of the hunger crisis. It emphasizes the importance of immediate and long-term interventions to prevent and treat malnutrition.
💡Humanitarian assistance
Humanitarian assistance refers to the aid provided to people in crisis situations, such as food rations, cash assistance, and medical care. The video script describes how CARE is providing humanitarian assistance to combat the hunger crisis, including immediate food and nutritional support, as well as long-term support for farmers to increase food production.
💡Climate-smart agriculture
Climate-smart agriculture is an approach to farming that aims to increase productivity, enhance resilience to climate change, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The video script mentions that CARE is helping farmers adopt climate-smart agriculture practices, such as efficient use of fertilizers and renewable energy sources for irrigation and food storage, to ensure sustainable food production.
💡Food security
Food security exists when all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life. The video script underscores the importance of food security, stating that without food, there is no future, and calls for collective action to ensure a well-fed future for all.
Highlights

A hunger crisis is currently affecting nearly 90 countries.

Food shortages and high prices of fuel and fertilizer are causing tens of millions of families to face starvation.

Poor farmers are unable to plant their crops due to the crisis.

Women and girls are particularly affected, often eating last and least.

Pregnant women and mothers are experiencing miscarriages and difficulties nursing due to lack of food.

Babies and young girls are not receiving the necessary nutrients for proper development.

The causes of hunger are numerous and complex.

Climate change and extreme drought have impacted many regions over the past decade.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 crisis led to an increase of 161 million people facing hunger.

The war between Russia and Ukraine has disrupted global food and grain supply, affecting nearly 30% of the world's grain supply.

Trade disruptions have caused food prices to soar, impacting countries far from the conflict.

Prolonged drought, conflict, economic impacts of COVID-19, and escalating costs have made food nearly inaccessible for millions.

345 million people are at high risk for severe malnutrition, equivalent to the entire population of the United States plus 200 million more.

Responding to extreme hunger and preventing malnutrition are critical.

Humanitarian assistance, including food rations, cash assistance, and treatment for malnutrition, is saving lives.

Climate-smart agriculture and efficient use of resources are part of the solution to combat the crisis.

It could take at least three years for food supplies to return to normal levels even if the war in Ukraine ends today.

CARE is fighting the hunger crisis through immediate assistance and supporting farmers to grow more food.

Governments must do their part to prevent extreme hunger and support food production for the future.

Food is essential for the future, and everyone has the power to support a well-fed future.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Global HungerFood CrisisClimate ChangeAgricultural AidMalnutritionSustainable FarmingFertilizer ShortageUkraine ConflictFood PricesHumanitarian SupportFuture Food