Tackling the worsening world hunger crisis this holiday season: William Lambers

CINCINNATI — This holiday season, there are 343 million people around the world who are searching desperately for food to stay alive. Hunger is worsening across the globe because of wars and climate change, according to a new report from the United Nations World Food Program (WFP).

We need to take action to stop this global hunger crisis. The number of people acutely food-insecure is growing. In some of the worst affected areas, there are near-famine conditions.

During these holidays, “The number of people facing catastrophic hunger, specifically in Gaza and Sudan, as well as parts of South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali, has reached alarming levels” according to WFP.

The tragedy is magnified because there is not enough food-aid funding to keep pace with the worsening hunger. The shortage in funding has led to ration cuts and people not getting the food aid they need to survive.

“Global humanitarian needs are rising, fueled by devastating conflicts, more frequent climate disasters, and extensive economic turmoil. Yet funding is failing to keep pace,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.

We know from history what Americans can do to stop this hunger crisis. Each one of us can make a contribution to building peace. In fact, after World War II, when word of worsening hunger abroad reached America, everyone took action, from the citizens to Congress.

Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, during the holidays in 1945, testified before Congress, telling them to increase overseas food aid to give postwar peace a chance. At holiday meals, families held fundraisers across America to feed the hungry in war-torn Europe and Asia. This generosity continued for years, assisting the reconstruction of the war-devastated areas

This holiday season, we, too, can take action against hunger. We can each support our local food banks in feeding the hungry in our communities. But especially, we need to take action against the extreme food shortages overseas. You can donate to global hunger relief organizations like the World Food Program, Save the Children, CARE, UNICEF, Mary’s Meals, Edesia, Catholic Relief Services and others.

Like Eisenhower in 1945, you can remind Congress about the importance of global food aid. You can write to your representatives in Congress, urging them to increase funding for global hunger relief programs. The amount spent on international food aid is far less than on armaments. We can certainly increase global food aid and encourage other capable nations to do the same.

It’s important that we, as Americans, unite against hunger to save lives and build peace. We cannot have a peaceful world if people are living in hunger and desperation.

During the holiday season, as we enjoy family, friends and wonderful food, we should remember those who don’t have any. We should remember the starving children in Gaza, Sudan, Congo, Haiti, Afghanistan, Yemen and other nations who are desperate for food. We can take action by donating and being an advocate.

We should have an expectation that every person in the world has the right to food to survive and thrive. By fighting hunger, we can take a big step toward a more peaceful world.

William Lambers is a Cincinnati author who writes frequently on humanitarian issues. In 2009, he partnered with the U.N. World Food Program on the book, “Ending World Hunger: School Lunches for Kids around the World.”

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