Introduction:
World hunger has been a perennial problem with over 690 million people across the world going hungry. Despite the efforts of various global agencies and philanthropic organizations, millions still suffer from chronic and acute malnutrition. This article explores various approaches that examine the cost implications of eradicating world hunger.
Research-based Approach:
The best way to estimate how much money is required to end world hunger is to examine the funding needs of existing global hunger eradication programs. Organizations such as the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Oxfam estimate that eliminating world hunger will cost approximately $330 billion/year. The WFP has set a target of $5 billion a year to prevent acute malnutrition in children and $20 billion a year to eradicate chronic hunger by 2030. The costs are associated with various hunger eradication projects such as food assistance, school meals programs, and maternal and child nutrition interventions.
Cost per Meal Approach:
The cost of meals varies depending on the region, with some regions having higher costs per meal than others. For example, in Africa, providing a school meal for a child costs approximately $0.25 a day, while in South Asia, the same meal costs about $0.20 a day. Based on these estimates, it would cost about $160 per capita per year to provide a basic meal to a person in Africa, while it would cost about $73 per capita per year in South Asia. Therefore, to provide a basic meal to the 690 million hungry people in the world, it would cost approximately $50 billion per year.
Case Study-based Approach:
The success of hunger eradication programs in Brazil can provide important insights into the amount of funding required to end world hunger. In 2003, Brazil launched the Zero Hunger Programme, which aimed to improve food security for vulnerable people. The program cost approximately $2.5 billion, and by 2005, it had reached 10 million families. The program provided food assistance to families, school meals, and credit to farmers. By 2012, the program had lifted 28 million people out of poverty and reduced stunting in children by 50%. Based on this case study, it is evident that to end world hunger, a significant amount of funding is required.
Needs-based Approach:
The needs-based approach is based on the premise that funding to eradicate world hunger should be tailored to the needs of those affected by hunger. This approach considers that the majority of people affected by hunger are in developing countries, where socio-economic factors such as poverty and poor health contribute to hunger. To address the problem of hunger in these regions, it is necessary to provide aid that targets these underlying issues. For example, providing food assistance, as well as recovery measures such as health care, education and basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water supply, will go a long way in eradicating hunger in the long term.
Donor-based Approach:
The donor-based approach is based on the premise that the private sector and governments can play a significant role in funding hunger eradication initiatives. In recent years, there has been increased interest from private philanthropists, such as Bill and Melinda Gates, in funding projects aimed at reducing hunger. The United States and the UK are among the biggest government donors to the cause. Incentives such as tax deductions and increased tax breaks have contributed to increased donations. To end world hunger, however, there is a need to increase funding from these sources as well as explore new sources of funding.
Advocacy-based Approach:
The advocacy-based approach promotes hunger eradication initiatives by highlighting the positive impact that funding these programs can have. It emphasizes the moral imperative of ending hunger and the immense ethical and humanitarian implications of continued inaction. By ending hunger, we can prevent diseases, reduce poverty, and increase education attainment rates. Similarly, we can save children’s lives, empower women, and improve the overall health and well-being of communities. Urging people to contribute to the cause can lead to significant impacts in reducing global hunger.
Conclusion:
Based on the various approaches taken, it is clear that a significant amount of funding is required to eliminate world hunger. Estimates indicate that $330 billion annually is required. The costs associated with ending world hunger include various hunger eradication projects such as food assistance, school meals programs, and maternal and child nutrition interventions. Urgent action is required, and it’s time for governments, private sector, philanthropists, and individuals to come together in the effort to eliminate hunger once and for all.
