Estimates say it might cost from $7 billion to $265 billion per year to end world hunger. That is a very big range because experts do not agree on one single way to stop hunger. Many things cause hunger, such as:
- Bad weather
- Disease outbreaks
- Pests
- War
- Falling crop prices
- Rising food prices
- Low wages or unemployment
No one idea can fix all these problems. World hunger is a global problem, and people must work in each community to solve it. Later in this article, we will list some of the best programs that fight hunger. Please think about giving money to at least one of these programs.
What Is World Hunger?
World hunger means not having enough good food to eat. This can cause malnutrition. Many people all over the world suffer from hunger because of wars, bad weather, a lack of transport, falling crop prices, and rising food prices.
- Smart Business Mastermind Myrra Sinclair Learn with Fun to Grow Your Business
- I used Omnia Loans when I had an emergency. Omnia Loans here to help you!
Can We End World Hunger?
Yes, we can. In fact, 193 countries have promised to end all forms of malnutrition by the year 2030. The United Nations has a goal:
“End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.”
But since 2015, the UN says that hunger has gone up for the third year in a row. They also say that there is not much progress in stopping problems like overweight and obesity in children under 5. Global conflict is one of the big reasons why hunger is still a problem. UN Secretary General António Guterres said,
“A renewed commitment to multilateralism, to prevention and to diplomacy is essential.”
How Much of the World Is Hungry?
More than 2 billion people do not have regular access to safe, nutritious, and enough food. In 2020, about 83 to 132 million more people were at risk of not getting enough food because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Which Countries Are Suffering from Hunger?
Some of the countries with the highest percentages of people who do not get enough food (based on data from 2016 to 2018) are:
- Central African Republic: 59.6%
- Zimbabwe: 51.3%
- Haiti: 49.3%
- North Korea: 47.8%
- Zambia: 46.7%
Even the United States has problems with food. Around 29.9 million people in the US do not always have safe and nutritious food.
How Many People Die Because of Hunger?
More than 820 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and it is a major reason why many die early. Hunger is especially dangerous for children. Every year, about 20.5 million babies are born with low birth weight because their mothers did not get enough food. Also, 149 million children do not grow as they should because of hunger. Even if these children live, they might have problems with their growth and learning.
Pedro Sanchez from the UN’s Hunger Task Force says,
“Starvation only accounts for about 8% of the hungry people in the world. The other 92% suffer from hunger silently, and they die in droves because of malnutrition-related diseases.”
Also, around 4 million people die every year from obesity that comes from bad nutrition.
How Much Would It Cost to End Hunger in the US?
Joel Berg, the CEO of Hunger Free America, estimates that it would cost about $25 billion to end hunger in the US. In America, hunger is not usually caused by war or crop failures. Many Americans are hungry because they do not have enough money to buy food. Berg says that raising wages and improving safety net programs would help a lot.
The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) suggests some important steps to end hunger in America:
- Create jobs, raise wages, and share prosperity.
- Improve government help for families who are struggling.
- Strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or food stamps).
- Improve Child Nutrition Programs.
- Focus on helping vulnerable groups.
- Work with states, local groups, and nonprofits to improve nutrition programs.
- Make sure families have easy access to healthy, affordable food.
- Build strong political support for these ideas.
Some of these ideas need more than just giving out money. That is why donating to local organizations that fight hunger is very important. These groups help people who are hungry right now.
How Much Money Would It Take to End World Hunger? – A Closer Look
This big question—“how much money would it take to end world hunger”—has many answers because hunger has many causes. In different parts of the world, the solution might be different. Some ways to help include:
- Giving money to build an app that helps farmers sell their crops at better prices, or
- Buying seeds for farmers so they can grow more nutritious food.
Below are some of the best programs that need your help:
Empower India Rural Girl Children with Education
This program pays for school fees, transport, and lunch for underprivileged girls in India. With more girls staying in school, they can have better jobs and support their families.
Seeds and Skills for Women to Grow Vegetables
In many developing countries, women farmers grow more than half the food. This program gives them quality seeds and teaches them to grow healthier crops. The knowledge they learn can help prevent hunger for many years.
Gardens Give Hope, Health, and Income in East Africa
In East Africa, about 130 million people do not get enough food. This program helps people learn how to grow their own food using simple tools like water storage, shade nets, and better seeds.
Help Veterans and Their Children
More than 3 million Americans face severe food insecurity. This program gives free diapers to veterans’ families, so they do not have to choose between feeding their children and buying diapers.
Goats and Donkeys Transform Lives in Darfur
In Darfur, years of war have left many families without income. This program gives a family six goats so they can get milk for protein, and donkeys to help carry water. In two years, the family can use the new goats to help another family.
Help Feed Hungry Children in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has very high hunger rates due to a long crisis. For 250 students at Marula Primary School, this program provides the only meal of the day and basic school supplies. A well-fed and educated next generation is a hope for a better future in Zimbabwe.
Reviews
“This article made a difficult topic easy to understand.“
“The information is clear and shows how simple changes can help a big problem.“
Conclusion
Ending world hunger is a huge challenge with many parts. We learned that estimates for ending hunger vary a lot because there are many causes. Different places need different solutions. The question, “how much money would it take to end world hunger”, is hard to answer with one number. But with smart ideas and help from people who care, we can make a big difference. By supporting programs that help local communities and fighting for better policies, we can work together to give everyone enough healthy food to eat.