World Hunger

Hunger, a term used to describe extreme and painful cravings for food (2011 World Hunger, 2011). World hunger is still in an issue in the 21st century, extreme malnutrition largely exists within developing countries (FAO, 2010). FAO, The Food and Agriculture Organization, claims that world hunger has risen to 925 million (13.6% of world population) in 2010, this is caused by factors such as increased food prices and a worldwide economic crisis (FAO, 2010). Poverty is a chronic issue in under developed countries, many people could only afford little food but with the inflation of food prices, the hungry are getting hungrier (Estimating the Short, 2011). Many businesses in Africa are losing profit because the consumers cannot afford the products. The price of goods is rising due to expensive oil, lack of crops and climate change. Due to inflation of food prices, hunger is an increasing issue in under developed countries.

“Figure 1.0: Different poverty levels (Global Issues, 2010)

“Figure 1.0: Different poverty levels (Global Issues, 2010)

Food price inflation has recently been a serious issue around the world. Many are feeling the impact, but those in poorer countries are getting hit the hardest (Estimating the Short, 2011).Within developing countries there is poverty and scarce resources. This is caused by such factors as bad government, low education and lack of health care (Global Issues, 2010).Poverty is a large issue within developing countries; many individuals can barely earn $1.25 a day (The World Bank, 2010) and yet food prices are rising. “Figure 1.0 represents the data collected in 2005 about the different poverty levels; how many people live on few dollars”. This data proves that as long as there is poverty and high priced goods, there will be world hunger.

“Figure 1.2: Hunger in different countries (FAO, 2010)”.

“Figure 1.2: Hunger in different countries (FAO, 2010)”.

“Figure 1.1: The effects of high prices in trade (BBC News. 2008)”.

“Figure 1.1: The effects of high prices in trade (BBC News. 2008)”.

One factor affecting the price increase, is the rise in oil prices (Los Angeles Times, 2009), oil is used to transport goods. It has a major influence on the world wide economy; farmers rely on oil to run their machinery to process crops (CTV, 2011). The prices of food has even sky rocketed; due to the large sum of oil being used to transport food between countries by ship or plane (CTV, 2011). The cost rose so much that it affected trading between countries (Figure 1.1).Poor countries are worried about oil prices rising because this results in increased price of basic crops such as beans and corn; corn has raised to $7 a bushel (CTV, 2011). One of FAO’s economist and grain expert, Abdolreza Abbassian, claims that the rise in price will continue to persist, he believes that “High food prices are of major concern especially for low-income food deficit countries that may face problems in financing food imports and for poor households which spend a large share of their income on food” (UN News Centre, 2011). “Figure 1.2 shows a pie chart that presents data that shows the amount of poverty in different countries”, the FAO states that prices will rise in meat, sugar, oils/fats and cereal (UN News Centre, 2011). “Figure 1.3 is a bar graph of the exponential rises in food within a year”. If oil continues to be expensive, world hunger will be a reoccurring issue.

“Figure 1.3: Food price rises in a year (Global Issues, 2008)”.

“Figure 1.3: Food price rises in a year (Global Issues, 2008)”.

“Figure 1.4: Map of World Hunger (Visual Information, 2011)”.

“Figure 1.4: Map of World Hunger (Visual Information, 2011)”.

The unexpected raise of food prices has increased poverty in Africa. With the 17% decrease of their local dollar and the exponential rise in fuel prices, people are striving to survive. The increase in fuel resulted in the rise of the price of coffee (Estimating the