The United Nations has advised that many developing countries are rapidly approaching catastrophic levels of food insecurity.
Climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and a volatile economy are all contributing factors, as well as conflict. The effects of the conflict in Ukraine in particular are being felt around the world in relation to food, particularly as Ukraine and Russia combined account for approximately 29% of the world’s global wheat exports and 62% of the world’s supply of sunflower oil.
These issues all have a negative effect on food security in a number of countries across the globe, which is contributing to the global hunger crisis that is unfolding.
What is a Global Hunger Crisis?
A global hunger crisis is the term used to describe a rapid rise in levels of hunger and malnutrition on a global scale. The terms ‘global food crisis’ and ‘food insecurity’ are often used interchangeably, though a global food crisis usually refers to a situation in which food insecurity is increasing at a fast rate.
What is Causing the 2022 Global Hunger Crisis?
While climate change, conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed greatly to the latest global hunger crisis, there are a number of other factors that may come into play. While it may vary from country to country, the following can be contributing factors when it comes to a global food crisis:
- Worsening poverty.
- Population growth.
- Economic activity, such as rising inflation and commodity prices.
- Environmental/natural disasters, such as flooding.
- Poor infrastructure, as this can make it difficult to transport food to areas suffering from shortages.
3 Partner Organisations Helping to Tackle the Global Hunger Crisis
Our partner organisations are working hard to help tackle the global food crisis through offering a number of initiatives that aim to offer assistance and support where possible. These organisations include:
#1 Plan International
Plan International, a charitable organisation with a focus on girls’ equality, has partnered with the World Food Programme to multiply each donation towards assisting with the global food crisis by 15 times. With the United Nations having declared that countries on the brink of crisis levels in relation to food insecurity are bordering on catastrophe, Plan International are encouraging Australians to give an urgent gift in the form of a donation. Depending on the value of the donation, Plan International’s initiatives help to:
- Distribute life-saving food to children and families in crisis.
- Provide emergency cash transfers to buy essential supplies.
- Create child-friendly safe spaces to protect children from violence.
#2 Save the Children
Fighting to reach impacted children with immediate life-saving care, Save the Children is an organisation that works to help children build a better future. In relation to the global food crisis, Save the Children are assisting through providing emergency nutrition for children that are severely malnourished, prioritising humanitarian cash assistance for families and lobbying the international community to tackle the root causes of food and nutrition insecurity. More specifically, a donation towards Save the Children can help to:
- Feed malnourished children for two weeks with nutritious peanut paste.
- Save malnourished children through covering any medical fees.
- Offer children a friendly space to recover from trauma.
- Provide thousands of people with clean and safe drinking water.
#3 Oxfam
A global movement that aims to eliminate poverty through tackling inequality, Oxfam Australia is using donations to provide much needed support. Through partnerships with local organisations in a number of countries, Oxfam Australia is supporting internally displaced people facing extreme hunger and ongoing inequality. Donations towards this initiative will help to:
- Distribute emergency food and water to families facing extreme hunger.
- Provide emergency cash assistance vouchers so people can purchase the food they need to survive.
- Support vulnerable people to produce their own food and diversify their sources of income.
How You Can Help Reduce the Effects of the Global Hunger Crisis
Emergency Action Alliance is working with a range of member organisations to reduce the impact of the global food crisis on as many lives as possible. Our approach ensures donations are used where they are needed most, with partner organisations needing to submit a request for funding. Requests for funding are then assessed and, if approved, the money is released and the organisation can continue with their work on the ground.
By donating to our members’ Global Food Crisis Appeals online, you’ll be joining thousands of generous Australians who have contributed millions of dollars to other appeals, such as our Ukraine Emergency Appeal and Tonga Tsunami Appeal.
If you have any questions or would like to chat with a member of our team, please contact us online.
Find out more how you can make a difference here:
