Starvation in Africa: Facts and Solutions
- Written by NewsCo
Africa is the second-largest continent in the world. It is home to over 1.3 billion people. A continent with abundant deposits of natural resources, including petroleum, gold, diamond, silver, cobalt, iron, copper, and uranium. Africa also boasts vast arable land and extensive tropical rainforests. Despite these resources, hunger and starvation continue to increase.
About 257 million sub-Saharan Africans – an alarming 20% of the population -- are chronically malnourished. The name Africa today brings to mind pictures of lean, starving kids. The United Nations estimates that 165 million children are malnourished. Three-quarters of these malnourished children are in Africa and South Asia. 40% of children in sub-Saharan Africa suffer from malnutrition. Today, nonprofits like FFL Global helps starving kid in africa and other parts of the world by serving up to two million meals daily.
Key Facts About Starvation in Africa
The Food and Agricultural Organization produced the following key facts about starvation in Africa, according to the Food and Agricultural Organization:
- About 257 million people or one in five people in Africa suffer from hunger.
- Malnutrition in Africa causes stunting in 59 million children under five years old.
- 13.8 million children under five years old are affected by wasting.
- 9.5 million children under five years old are overweight.
- 11.8% of adults are overweight.
- 38% of women of reproductive age are anemic.
- Only 43.5% of infants six months and below receive exclusive breastfeeding.
What Is the Reason for Starvation in Africa?
The facts show that starvation in Africa is a severe challenge. The principal factors include:
Poverty
Poverty in Africa has a cyclical correlation with hunger. Poverty is a cause and also an effect of hunger. Over a third of people in sub-Saharan Africa live below the International Poverty Line. The World Bank defines the Poverty Line as having below $1.25 daily to live. A significant portion of the African population lacks sufficient resources to get enough food.
Poor Infrastructure
Agriculture is the driver of many African economies. Still, hunger is prevalent due to the absence of reliable roads for getting the food from farms to places where they are most needed. The inability to efficiently transport food produce often leads to wastage and contributes to hunger. The absence of irrigation infrastructure also affects crop yield and leads to persistent food shortages in Africa.
Wars and Conflicts
Wars and conflicts in Africa affect all levels of the food production and distribution chain. Conflicts negatively affect work and income and hinder people’s ability to get food. Wars also destroy agricultural equipment and land. Thus, it becomes difficult to rebuild and produce enough food to meet demand when peace returns.
Environmental Challenges
Africa contributes little to global warming and climate change. Adverse climatic conditions like droughts lead to poor crop and livestock production. Arid African nations like Niger, Mali, and Ethiopia experience severe drought. Other environmental problems like deforestation also adversely affect agricultural production.
Increasing Population
The population of Africa is increasing at a rate of 2.5% per annum. However, food production is not keeping up with this rapid growth.
Poor Governance and Policies
African nations have had to deal with bad governance over the years. Widespread corruption and huge debts at several levels of government coupled with bad policies also contribute to food shortages. The implementation of unfavorable policies means that African farmers are not able to compete with their foreign counterparts.
Disease
Diseases like Malaria and AIDS have ravaged the African continent for decades, throwing millions out of work and reducing agricultural output.
Consequences of Hunger and Starvation in Africa
Persistent hunger and starvation in Africa have devastating effects on the individual and society:
Hunger and Starvation Kills
The United Nations notes that hunger and starvation are the greatest threats to life in Africa and other parts of the world. Children are the most affected by starvation in Africa. Malnutrition is the leading cause of infant and child mortality. Malnutrition weakens immunity and makes sufferers prone to diseases like cholera, malaria, tuberculosis, and diarrhea. 3.2 million (one in nine) children in sub-Saharan Africa die before age five.
Hunger and Starvation Causes Stunting in Children
Stunting is a state of impaired physical and mental growth as a result of malnutrition. Stunting is the result of long-term undernourishment and can prevent children from attaining their full potential.
Hunger and Starvation Drives Poverty
Hunger and starvation entrench poverty in the lives of already economically disadvantaged individuals. Starving people are weak and prone to disease. Thus, they are less productive and usually unable to work their way out of poverty. Starving kids who are fortunate to go to school will be unable to learn to their most total capacity. These kids may not compete favorably in the job market and may find themselves trapped in the cycle of poverty they grew up in.
Solving Hunger and Starvation in Africa
Finding a solution to hunger in Africa requires a multi-pronged approach. Each African community is different, with peculiar needs that might require unique techniques. However, here are some measures that individuals, agencies, and governments across Africa and the world can adopt in solving hunger and starvation:
Robust Government Policies Against Hunger
Tackling hunger must be at the forefront of African government policy. African leaders must continue to collaborate with local and foreign agencies to create programs that empower citizens of vulnerable regions to easily access food, jobs, education, markets, and other opportunities.
Climate-focused Agricultural Practices
Climate change continues to affect crop yield and has become a significant trigger for hunger. Droughts and floods are becoming more frequent in many African regions. Adopting climate-oriented farming practices like diversification of crops and using low-water sack gardens can help tackle hunger.
Reducing Food Waste
Globally, over a third of produced food is wasted. The wasted food also requires agricultural resources like irrigation water and fertilizers. We can end this on a personal level by curbing the amount of food we waste. African governments should also implement stringent policies on food security.
Improving Storage Facilities
Adequately storing the food produced in Africa will go a long way in curbing hunger. Building large-scale grain stores and acquiring solar dryers for farming communities are ways to improve food storage in Africa.
Conclusion
The world produces enough food to feed everyone. However, many people, especially Africans, suffer from hunger and starvation. No single solution can end hunger in Africa. But collaborative efforts from individuals, agencies, and governments on the continent and beyond can bring us closer to the United Nations Sustainable Goal 2 of achieving zero hunger by 2030.
