People eat and throw away their leftovers, and others are undernourished. How and Why?

Perhaps our ancestors would be surprised if they saw the crises and famines that constantly afflict different peoples. Because despite all the development and progress made by mankind, many individuals do not get enough food in their daily lives. Everyone who reads this article probably knows someone who is barely able to provide food for themselves or their family. Why? And how can we solve this problem?

World Food Day

Because food is essential to the survival and continuity of humanity, and our need for it is constantly increasing. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) celebrates World Food Day on October 16 every year. The anniversary of the organization’s founding in 1945. [1]

World Food Day is one of the most celebrated days among the global events of the United Nations, as a result of the solidarity and work of 150 countries. While more than 3 billion people – almost 40% of the world’s population – do not enjoy a healthy diet. [2]

There are also nearly 2 billion people who are overweight or obese. As noted by Mr. Qu Dongyu – WHO Director-General – Indicated that 14% of food is lost and 17% is wasted, in his speech during the celebration of World Food Day, which was hosted by FAO in 2021. [1]

So there is enough food for everyone, why is there such a big contradiction?

Objectives of World Food Day

• Raising awareness about the problem of world hunger.
• Increasing interest in agricultural food production and stimulating international and non-governmental efforts in this direction.
• Encouraging the participation of rural people, especially women and vulnerable groups, in making decisions and holding events that affect their lives.
• Encouraging economic and technical cooperation in developing countries and stimulating technology transfer to these countries.
• Strengthening international and global solidarity to confront hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. In addition to highlighting the progress in the field of food and agricultural development. [3]

Ratios and Statistics

• Globally, women are 15% more likely to suffer from – moderate or severe- food insecurity than men.
• Almost 193 million people experienced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2021. They also needed humanitarian assistance to survive. While more than 500,000 people faced catastrophic conditions, namely starvation and death.
• Indigenous peoples are responsible for about 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity. However, it suffers from high rates of poverty, malnutrition and landlessness.
• Globally, food systems produce nearly a third of greenhouse gases and contribute to the deforestation of tropical forests by 80%. It is also the main cause of water scarcity, desertification, soil degradation, and biodiversity. [2]

The World Food Program

The World Food Program is affiliated with the United Nations and is the leading humanitarian organization in the field of food assistance. The program focuses on providing emergency food assistance, relief, and rehabilitation, as well as working with local communities to improve nutrition.

WFP also conducts two-thirds of its work in conflict-affected countries, where the population of these countries is vulnerable to undernourishment. This is 3 times more than the population of conflict-free countries.

And for all its fruitful efforts to change lives by fighting hunger and preventing using hunger as a weapon in wars and conflicts. Which in turn paves the way for peace-building in conflict-affected areas. In addition, it helped 115.5 million people in 84 countries in 2020, the largest number since 2012. The World Food Program was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020. [4]

World Food Day Activities

A large number of events are held to celebrate World Food Day every year. Some of this year’s events:

1. World Food Day Photo Contest – Europe and Central Asia.
   It runs from August 1 to November 2. Residents of these two areas must submit a photo under the slogan “Healthy Nutrition for All”. To focus on the production, processing, and sharing of food, rather than the food itself. [5]
   World Food Day exhibit including photographs by FAO Ambassador and astronaut Thomas Pesquet.
   It will shed light on some of the global challenges the world faces from a new perspective, which is space. [6]
2. World Food Day poster competition.
   Presenting a poster showing a world where no one is left behind and where everyone can have affordable, healthy food. The applicant must be between 5 and 19 years old and the submission is available until November 4, 2022. [2]

And many more events and activities in Italy, Canada, and other countries.

World Food Day in Syria

The Syrian war has drained families and individuals in Syria, and many are suffering from poverty and food insecurity. Day after day, Syrians are struggling to get their food on a daily basis. As a result of severe economic decline, mass displacement, and conflict. According to WFP, about 12.4 million Syrians suffer from food insecurity. 1.3 million Syrians suffer from acute food insecurity.

Consequently, WFP provides food aid to 5.6 million people in Syria each month and provides healthy snacks for children at school. It also supports families to acquire new income-earning skills. [7]

As Syrians, we know that access to adequate and healthy food is a right for every human being. We must strive as hard as we can to achieve this goal and not stop until we see it implemented on the ground. In our initiative, we seek to help women – especially Syrian women – to learn and hone their skills. May this help them find job opportunities and improve their lives in general.

Also read:

• International Day of Rural Women.

• World Mental Health Day.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] FAO- News

[2] FAO- World Food Day

[3] GDRC

[4] WFP

[5] FAO- Events P.1

[6] FAO- Events P.3

[7] WFP- Countries