Campaigning Against Hunger
Living in 21st century America, it may be difficult to comprehend the idea that more than 800 million people in the world are suffering from hunger. But several credible international groups seem to agree on that number.
As a measure of how hunger is defined, it generally means that individuals are trying to survive on less than 1800 calories per day. The average American consumes 3600 calories per day, although this is about fifty percent more than recommended by health authorities. And still the US Department of Agriculture claims over 40 million Americans suffer food insecurity.
There is little doubt that the world has the capacity to feed its entire population. In fact, we already produce enough food to do the job. Part of the problem is food waste. Roughly one-third of the food produced in the world for human consumption is lost or wasted.
In the US more than 100 million tons of food is discarded every year, about one-third of the entire US food supply. Rubicon, a leading provider of cloud-based waste and recycling solutions, claims the average American family of four throws out $1500 in wasted food per year. To compound the problem, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, food waste is the number one material in America’s landfills, constituting nearly a quarter of all municipal solid waste.
While the percentage of waste is the same in developing countries as in the richer nations, the per capita food production is almost twice as much in the latter: about 460 kilos a year in poor countries compared to 900 kilos per year in developed regions. This leaves an incredible deficit for the world’s poorest nations.
I must admit that until very recently I did not fully appreciate the size and scope of the problem. What has heightened my awareness of the issue was a presentation at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC, a couple of weeks ago by the Executive Director of the World Food Program, David Beasley.
Beasley was nominated for the WFP post by US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley in 2017. Under his leadership the organization in December 2020 received the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to combat world hunger.
A former governor of South Carolina, Beasley served one term, 1995-99. Two issues sank his re-election effort in 1998. One was his attempt to have the Confederate flag removed from the top of the State House. Even though Beasley had persuaded six of his predecessors from both political parties to endorse his proposal, the SC General Assembly refused. Instead, legislators authorized a referendum on the issue during the 1998 general election. The second obstacle was Beasley’s refusal to support legalizing gambling in the state. Out-of-state gambling interests invested heavily in opposing his re-election.
Beasley’s appearance at Wofford College was part of the Van Hipp Lecture Series on International Affairs and National Security. He wasted no time emphasizing the significance of the hunger gap in addressing international peace and stability, pointing out that starvation in developing countries makes them ripe for terrorism and political unrest.
According to Beasley, the WFP is trying to serve nearly 120 million people currently, about 40 million of whom are “knocking on famine’s door.” Massive destabilization and massive migration are likely to result if hunger within the developing countries is not addressed effectively was his assessment.
Although several factors contribute to the level of hunger in the world, including natural disasters, climate change, income inequality and disease, Beasley gave particular attention to violent conflict.
“Eighty percent of our operations are in countries or regions in conflict,” he said.
Beasley went on to disclose he would be visiting Afghanistan soon to meet with representatives of the Taliban. Not that he was looking forward to the encounter, but he had to have the Taliban’s consent in order for the WFP to have access to Afghans who need the organization’s assistance.
The WFP’s mission was described as more than just providing food. There are also efforts to encourage local agricultural production and to work with communities to improve nutrition and to build resilience. In last few years the WFP has helped rehabilitate 3.5 million acres of previously nonarable land within the developing world.
The former governor spoke highly of the 20,000 people who work for the WFP. He indicated they personified the Biblical commandment “To love your neighbor.” “Loving your neighbor,” Beasley noted, “Is the most powerful weapon on earth.”
He also observed that anyone not moved by religious or humanitarian concerns should find national security considerations compelling. Making a cost comparison, Beasley pointed out that WFP spends $30-40 per family per month to help stabilize threaten populations. Recently, the United States has been forced to pay out $3,750 per person per week to accommodate migrants on our Southern border.
Almost all of the WFP’s money comes from governments. The US is the most generous donor nation, providing nearly $4 billion this year. Beasley warned that because of the pandemic, the organization needs another $6 billion. He expressed the hope that some of America’s billionaires would share some of their largess with the world’s poor.
“Last year, a billionaire was created every 17 hours.” He mentioned specifically Amazon chief Jeff Bezo who added $64 billion to his person wealth. “He could fund it by himself.”
Whether or not Beasley can raise the needed funds from America’s private sector remains an open question, but if he does not, it won’t be for not trying. The goal is a worthy one and Beasley’s enthusiasm for his mission is obvious and contagious.