# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Famine Imminent in Gaza. Take Action Now.

Close Alert

Show Photo Credit

Action Against Hunger, Afghanistan

Close Photo Credit

There is more than enough food produced in the world to feed everyone on the planet. Yet as many as 783 million people still go hungry.

Global hunger crisis in 2023

Nearly one in ten people around the world go to bed hungry each night, a crisis driven largely by conflict, climate change, and chronic inequality.

Children Suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition

Of Child Deaths Worldwide Are Due to Hunger & Related Causes

Children Die Each Day from Illnesses Caused by Dirty Water and Unhygienic Living Conditions.

What is hunger?

Hunger is more complicated than empty bellies. It's a multifaceted problem with many root causes and far-reaching impact. The first step to ending the global hunger crisis is to understand what it is and why it exists in a world of plenty.

Who does hunger affect?

An overwhelming majority of the world's hungry people reside in the developing world, where extreme poverty and lack of access to nutritious food often leads to malnutrition. Women and children are particularly vulnerable.

10 Hunger Facts

Download 10 facts about world hunger and learn how you can help us save lives.

Show Photo Credit

Action Against Hunger, Madagascar

Close Photo Credit

Show Photo Credit

Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)

Close Photo Credit

KEEP UP WITH THE ACTION

Receive the latest news direct from our lifesaving teams.

If opting in to receive SMS updates, you can expect to receive no more than 3 messages a month. Message and data rates may apply. Text "STOP" at any time to opt out.

What Causes World Hunger?

How we fight hunger

Previous Photo Next Photo

The world's hungriest countries

These countries need immediate life-saving help.

There is more than enough food produced in the world to feed everyone on the planet. Yet as many as 783 million people still go hungry.

Global hunger crisis in 2023

Nearly one in ten people around the world go to bed hungry each night, a crisis driven largely by conflict, climate change, and chronic inequality.

Children Suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition

Of Child Deaths Worldwide Are Due to Hunger & Related Causes

Children Die Each Day from Illnesses Caused by Dirty Water and Unhygienic Living Conditions.

What is hunger?

Hunger is more complicated than empty bellies. It's a multifaceted problem with many root causes and far-reaching impact. The first step to ending the global hunger crisis is to understand what it is and why it exists in a world of plenty.

Who does hunger affect?

An overwhelming majority of the world's hungry people reside in the developing world, where extreme poverty and lack of access to nutritious food often leads to malnutrition. Women and children are particularly vulnerable.

10 Hunger Facts

Download 10 facts about world hunger and learn how you can help us save lives.

Show Photo Credit

Action Against Hunger, Madagascar

Close Photo Credit

Show Photo Credit

Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)

Close Photo Credit

KEEP UP WITH THE ACTION

Receive the latest news direct from our lifesaving teams.

If opting in to receive SMS updates, you can expect to receive no more than 3 messages a month. Message and data rates may apply. Text "STOP" at any time to opt out.

What Causes World Hunger?

How we fight hunger

Previous Photo Next Photo

The world's hungriest countries

These countries need immediate life-saving help.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
World Hunger Facts & Statistics | Action Against Hunger

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There is more than enough food produced in the world to feed everyone on the planet. Yet as many as 783 million people still go hungry.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In politics, humanitarian aid, and the social sciences, hunger is a condition in which a person does not have the physical or financial capability to eat sufficient food to meet basic nutritional needs for a sustained period.

In the field of hunger relief, the term hunger is used in a sense that goes beyond the common desire for food that all humans experience, also known as an appetite. The most extreme form of hunger, when malnutrition is widespread, and when people have started dying of starvation through lack of access to sufficient, nutritious food, is called famine.

Throughout history, portions of the world's population have often suffered sustained periods of hunger. In many cases, hunger resulted from food supply disruptions caused by war, plagues, or adverse weather. In the decades following World War II, technological progress and enhanced political cooperation suggested it might be possible to substantially reduce the number of people suffering from hunger. While progress was uneven, by 2014, the threat of extreme hunger had receded for a large portion of the world's population. According to the FAO's 2021 The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report, the number of people suffering from chronic hunger began to rise gradually between 2014 and 2019. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a massive increase, resulting in nearly 770 million people suffering from malnutrition.

While most of the world's people continue to live in Asia, much of the increase in hunger since 2015 occurred in Africa and South America. The FAO's 2017 report discussed three principal reasons for the recent increase in hunger: climate, conflict, and economic slowdowns. The 2018 edition focused on extreme weather as a primary driver of the increase in hunger, finding rising rates to be especially severe in countries where agricultural systems were most sensitive to extreme weather variations. The 2019 SOFI report found a strong correlation between increases in hunger and countries that had suffered an economic slowdown. The 2020 edition instead looked at the prospects of achieving the hunger related Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). It warned that if nothing was done to counter the adverse trends of the past six years, the number of people suffering from chronic hunger could rise by over 150 million by 2030. The 2021 report reported a sharp jump in hunger caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hunger relief organisations

Many thousands of hunger relief organisations exist across the world. Some but not all are entirely dedicated to fighting hunger. They range from independent soup kitchens that serve only one locality, to global organisations. Organisations working at the global and regional level will often focus much of their efforts on helping hungry communities to better feed themselves, for example by sharing agricultural technology. With some exceptions, organisations that work just on the local level tend to focus more on providing food directly to hungry people. Many of the entities are connected by a web of national, regional and global alliances that help them share resources, knowledge, and coordinate efforts.

Images for kids

WFP's HungerMap LIVE monitors food security and predicts the status of crisis-hit areas where data is limited, World Food Programme, 2021

Unemployed men outside a soup kitchen in Chicago, 1931

In Spanish: Hambre para niños

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Welthungerhilfe.de - Für eine Welt ohne Hunger und Armut

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Agricultural economist Joachim von Braun on solutions for food waste, hunger and malnutrition. Video by Eco India/Deutsche Welle.

Hunger Definition - What is Hunger?

When specialists talk about hunger, they differentiate between three types: acute, chronic and hidden hunger.

Acute hunger (famine) designates undernourishment over a definable period. It is the most extreme form of hunger and arises frequently in connection with crises like droughts due to El Niño, wars and disasters. It often affects people who are already suffering from chronic hunger. That applies to almost eight percent of all hungry people.

Chronic hunger designates a state of long-term undernourishment. The body absorbs less food than it needs. Although the media mostly report on acute hunger crises, globally, chronic hunger is by far the most widespread. It usually arises in connection with poverty. Chronically hungry people do not have sufficient money for healthy nutrition, clean water or health care.

Hidden hungeris a form of chronic hunger. Due to an unbalanced diet, important nutrients are lacking, such as iron, iodine, zinc or vitamin A. At first glance, the consequences are not necessarily very visible, but over the long-term these nutrient deficiencies lead to serious diseases. In particular, children are unable to develop correctly, neither mentally nor physically. The risk of death is high. Hidden hunger not only harms individuals, but can inhibit the overall development of an affected region, as the efficiency and health of people decreases.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Definitions, effects, causes: Learn all about hunger, why 735 million people do not have enough to eat and what can be done about it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A global food crisis | World Food Programme

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
2023: Another year of extreme jeopardy for those struggling to feed their families

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's Not What You Think

Ending hunger isn't about supply. The world produces enough food to feed everyone on the planet. The problem is access and availability, both of which are disrupted by things like extreme weather, food waste, one's gender and - worst of all - conflict.

Today, the world's hungriest people are facing the coronavirus pandemic on top of all this.

Ending hunger is the greatest challenge of our time, but together it's solvable.

The Biggest Drivers of Hunger

Conflict

Conflict is the #1 driver of hunger in the world, and it's entirely preventable. It uproots families, destroys economies, ruins infrastructure and halts agricultural production.

Photo: AP/CARE/Josh Estey

Extreme Weather

Climate change is one of the leading causes of global hunger, causing more frequent and intense extreme weather events. Over 80% of the world's hungry people live in disaster-prone countries.

Women & Hunger

In nearly two-thirds of countries around the world, women are more likely than men to suffer from hunger and malnourishment. That's because in many cases, women eat last and least.

Photo: WFP/Will Baxter

Food Waste

Nearly one-third of all the food produced globally each year is lost or wasted. If we could recover all the food we waste, we could feed every hungry person on the planet twice over.

covid-19 pandemic

New data shows the novel coronavirus has doubled the number of hungry people worldwide. Its impact on supply chains, humanitarian access, the global economy and food supplies threatens to push 20 countries into famine or famine-like conditions. For 30 million of these people, WFP is quite literally their only source of food. Without it, they face starvation.

Extreme Poverty

Half the world's population lives on less $5.50 a day. Poverty is often at the heart of hunger - it's brought on or made worse by drivers like conflict and natural disasters. When people can't afford the food their families need, it limits their children's physical and emotional development and perpetuates the cycle of hunger and poverty.

Here's What We're Doing About It

Hunger and malnutrition are part of an ongoing cycle, as both a cause and effect of many other factors too, like inequality and lack of education.

These factors are within our power to change.
That's why hunger is also the world's most solvable problem.

Take Action

Use your social media influence as a platform to raise awareness for ending world hunger.

@wfpusa on IG

Send an email to your representative in Congress to advocate on behalf of the hungry.

Write to Congress

You pick the topic, and for every correct answer 10 grains of rice are donated to change lives around the world!

Take the Global Hunger Quiz

How much do you know about the causes of global hunger? Let's find out! The answers may surprise you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
6 Causes of World Hunger - Why There is Global Food Insecurity

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's Not What You Think Ending hunger isn't about supply. The world produces enough food to feed everyone on the planet. The problem is access and availability, both of which are disrupted by things like extreme weather, food waste, one's gender and - worst of all - conflict.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Is There Really a Global Food Crisis?

Yes. Right now, there is a global food crisis - the largest one in modern history. Since the United Nations World Food Program's (WFP) creation in 1963, never has hunger reached such devastating highs. From the eruption of new conflicts and the escalating impacts of the climate crisis to soaring food and fuel costs, millions of people are being driven closer to starvation each day.

Nearly 350 million people around the world are experiencing the most extreme forms of hunger right now. Of those, nearly 49 million people are on the brink of famine. Behind these massive statistics are individual children, women and men suffering from the dire effects of such severe hunger. Malnourished mothers give birth to malnourished babies, passing hunger from one generation to the next. Children's physical and cognitive growth is stunted. Farmers are unable to grow enough food to provide for their families and communities. Entire towns are forced to leave their homes in search of food.

What Is Causing the Current Global Food Crisis?

Conflict, the climate crisis and rising costs are driving the global food crisis. Conflict is the number one cause - it destroys roads and buildings, forces people from their homes, drives inflation and cuts off people's access to markets - all of which push communities into hunger. Hunger, in turn, can spark unrest as people protest high prices or compete over scarce resources. At the same time, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. These climate emergencies destroy agricultural production and send shockwaves across local and global food systems. In 2021, climate extremes were the main driver of acute hunger in 8 African countries, pushing 23.5 million people into emergency levels of hunger. To assist people impacted by conflict and climate emergencies, the U.N. World Food Programme delivers immediate food assistance as well as long-term solutions that address the underlying causes of hunger.

Together, we can end global hunger once and for all.
Related articles you might be interested in: Learn more about the drivers of hunger.
Which Countries Are Suffering the Most From Hunger?

Some of the world's most significant hunger crises have only just burst onto the scene, like Ukraine, while others have swelled for over a decade, like Yemen and Syria. Below are the 10 worst hunger crises in the world today based on where the U.N. World Food Programme works and has collected recent data. The crises are ranked by the total number of people facing severe hunger in each country.

1) Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Number of people facing severe hunger: 26 million

Primary drivers of hunger: Conflict and displacement

The DRC is the world's largest hunger crisis, fueled by over 25 years of conflict and endemic poverty. 26 million people (about the population of Texas) are severely hungry today and over 5 million people have been displaced from their homes. In 2022, we successfully scaled up to reach 6.2 million people throughout the country.

From climate shocks and pest infestations to Ebola outbreaks and the economic impacts of COVID-19, the Congolese people's resilience has been tested at every turn. The latest Ebola outbreak was declared as recently as August of 2022. During the outbreak, the U.N. World Food Programme provided food to Ebola patients and people potentially affected by the disease. Using our vast logistics network of trucks and planes, we helped emergency responders reach remote outbreak areas quickly.

2) Afghanistan

Number of people facing severe hunger: 19.9 million

Primary driver of hunger: Four decades of conflict

When international troops withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, the government quickly collapsed. The lives of Afghan families were thrown into chaos as the economy went into freefall. This in addition to the takeover of the country by Taliban forces meant homes were no longer safe and entire communities were cut from essential services due to conflict. Today, 19.9 million Afghans (nearly half the population) are severely hungry. 4 million children and women are severely malnourished.

The U.N. World Food Programme has a longstanding presence in Afghanistan: We've worked in the country for more than 60 years. In 2022, the U.N. World Food Programme provided assistance to 23 million people. In additional to general food assistance, many of our programs focus on the specific nutritional needs of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children under the age of 5.

3) Yemen

Number of people facing severe hunger: 17 million

Primary driver of hunger: Civil war

For the past eight years, Yemen has been caught in a complex civil war that has created a devastating humanitarian emergency. Between 2021 and 2022, the number of Yemenis facing severe hunger increased by over 1 million - coming out to a record high of 17 million people who don't know where their next meal will come from. Many families survive on nothing more than bread and sweetened tea as rising prices push nutritious foods out of reach. Malnutrition rates for Yemeni women and children are among the highest in the world.

The U.N. World Food Programme aims to provide nearly 13 million Yemenis with aid in the form of flour, beans, oil, sugar, salt, grocery vouchers and or cash. To ensure our food is delivered to those who need it most, we rolled out a new biometrics platform in November of 2020 that allows people to register for cash assistance with their fingerprints or eye scans. This makes aid delivery more efficient and accountable. At the same time, it makes shopping easier and more secure for the people we serve, and the local economy is stimulated by the influx of cash as well.

4) Syria

Number of people facing severe hunger: 12 million

Primary driver of hunger: Civil war

12 years of conflict have pushed more than 12 million Syrians into hunger and forced nearly 13 million from their homes. Today, Syrian refugees are the world's largest displaced population. A severe economic downturn, the declining value of the Syrian pound, and the lingering impacts of COVID-19 are forcing families who remain within the country's borders to choose between buying food, fuel or medicine.

Every month, the U.N. World Food Programme reaches 5.6 million people inside Syria and 5.7 million Syrian refugees in neighboring countries. To support the livelihoods of tomorrow, the U.N. World Food Programme is taking action now by helping Syrian communities prepare for and adapt to shocks like conflict and drought. Through programs like agricultural trainings and the restoration of vital infrastructure, we're working with the people of Syria to improve their food security and build new economic opportunities.
These are the 10 facts you need to know about the Syrian refugee crisis in Jordan.
5) The Sahel

Number of people facing severe hunger: 13 million (projected)

Primary drivers of hunger: Armed conflict and climate extremes

The Sahel sits just below the Sahara Desert and has become one of the world's worst hunger emergencies. Around 13 million people are projected to be experiencing crisis levels of hunger across five Sahelian countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. Hunger is worsening and becoming increasingly complex as conflict spreads, food prices and poverty rates rise, and climate shocks become more frequent and extreme.

Through resilience programs like school meals and climate adaptation projects, the U.N. World Food Programme assists more than 2.5 million people across the Sahel. Research in Niger showed that our resilience programs have reduced instability by fostering collaboration and easing competition over natural resources.

6) South Sudan

Number of people facing severe hunger: 7.7 million

Primary driver of hunger: Civil war and historic flooding

The people of South Sudan face record levels of hunger: Nearly 65% of the population is experiencing a hunger crisis. This is due to increasing subnational violence, four consecutive years of flooding and high food prices.

In 2022, the U.N. World Food Programme reached over 5 million people in South Sudan with food and nutrition assistance. We also worked with flood-affected people to build their resilience to increasingly severe climate shocks. For example, through agricultural training, we taught farmers how to grow water-tolerant crops like rice, cassava and sukuma (collard greens).

7) Sudan

Number of people facing severe hunger: 15.8 million

Drivers of hunger: Conflict and intercommunal violence, floods and inflation

Hunger continues to relentlessly rise in Sudan due to political instability, conflict, displacement, climate shocks and rising costs. At least one-third of the population faces extreme forms of hunger. Heavy rains and floods destroyed acres of farmland and disrupted the planting season in 2022. Access to farmland has also been disrupted by ongoing conflict.

The U.N. World Food Programme assists around 9 million people in Sudan including refugees, internally displaced people and Sudanese residents. In 2022, the U.N. World Food Programme launched a new joint program with UNICEF Strengthening Resilience and Social Cohesion in the Darfurs to strengthen communities' resilience to shocks like conflict, extreme weather events and economic crises.

8) Somalia

Number of people facing severe hunger: 6 million (projected)

Primary drivers of hunger: Drought, civil war and rising food prices

While famine has been kept at bay for now in Somalia, the food security situation remains critical. Over 6 million people are expected to face severe levels of hunger this year, including 300,000 people facing life-threatening hunger. Somalia is experiencing its longest drought in over 40 years, exacerbated by conflict.

In response, the U.N. World Food Programme significantly scaled up its operations in Somalia and is reaching 4.5 million people every month with emergency food and nutrition assistance. As the largest humanitarian agency in Somalia, we are working tirelessly to save lives during this exploding crisis. When rains failed again in 2022, we worked with the government to deliver early warning messages to over 1 million people as well as cash transfers to over 100,000 people. Through information and cash assistance, we helped to protect people's livelihoods from climate shocks.

9) Northern Ethiopia

Number of people facing severe hunger in the Tigray, Afar and Amhara: 5.5 million

Primary driver of hunger: Armed conflict

After two years of war, a peace agreement was signed in November 2022 which allowed for the restoration of humanitarian access across northern Ethiopia. Millions of people across need food and medicine now: The U.N. World Food Programme's latest food security assessment of the Tigray Region alone showed a dire, worsening situation with almost half of the population facing a severe lack of food.

Since March 2021, the U.N. World Food Programme has reached nearly 4 million people in northern Ethiopia with food and nutrition assistance. We are doing everything in our power to deliver emergency aid in even the hardest-to-reach areas.
See how we're working with our Goodwill Ambassador The Weeknd to support the people of northern Ethiopia.
10) Haiti

Number of people facing severe hunger: 4.7 million (projected)

Primary drivers of hunger: Political unrest, gang violence and extreme weather events

Haiti is on the verge of a humanitarian disaster: Political instability, an economic crisis and gang violence have deepened hunger in the country. For the first time in Haiti and in the Western Hemisphere, catastrophic hunger has been recorded.
The U.N. World Food Programme is committed to stay and deliver assistance to Haitians. Along with our emergency response, we provide school meals and work with communities to build their resilience to extreme weather events like earthquakes. By the end of 2022, we went above our projections and reached 1.8 million beneficiaries through $27.7 million and 13,218 metric tons of food.

What is WFP Doing to Respond to the Global Food Crisis?

The hunger crises in these 10 countries show the devastating impacts of the global food crisis. Through short-term solutions like emergency food assistance and long-term projects like agricultural trainings for farmers, the U.N. World Food Programme fights hunger in over 120 countries and territories. Our programs combat the main drivers of hunger: conflict, climate extremes and rising costs. Your generosity and support ensure the U.N. World Food Programme can save and change lives around the world.

Together, we can end global hunger once and for all.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Global Food Crisis: 10 Countries Suffering the Most From Hunger - World Food Program USA

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These are the 10 worst hunger crises in the world today, ranked by the total number of people facing severe hunger in each country.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
International Youth Day, designated by the UN in the year 2000, is celebrated every Aug. 12 to recognize young people living around the world and the distinct issues that will affect the next generation of world leaders, activists, and Global Citizens.

Keeping in mind the 270 million people in urgent need of food aid and the enormous toll human activity has taken on the environment, the theme of International Youth Day 2021 is "Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health." That's because youth organizations and activists are at the forefront of fighting hunger and malnutrition.

Hunger is a tricky thing to measure. We produce enough food to feed every person in the world, according to the World Food Forum, but accessibility and affordability prevent that from happening. Even when food is accessible, there is a question of whether it is nutritious, particularly in regions of the world where food deserts keep people from enjoying diverse and healthy diets.

The COVID-19 pandemic has only made the problem worse, as lockdown restrictions and a global recession disrupted food systems everywhere.

Climate change is another big threat to accessing nutritious food. As a warming planet continues to devastate the land we live on - resulting in heat waves, flooding, and forest fires - food systems are becoming increasingly unreliable. If we don't adapt the current system to become more sustainable, world hunger is going to increase, and many more lives will be lost.
Young people are on the front lines of the struggle to build a better future for all. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dire need for the kind of transformational change they seek - and young people must be full partners in that effort. UN Secretary-General António Guterres
Young people will inherit these global issues that have been building for years. But instead of waiting for the problem to become theirs to solve, they are taking action now, demanding world leaders defend the planet and defeat poverty with measurable policies, as well as starting their own initiatives to improve food security.

Here are five youth activists fighting the interconnected problems of world hunger and climate change that you can follow on social media. Let their work inspire you to take action in your own communities and abroad, no matter how old you are.

1. Kehkashan Basu, Canada

At just 21 years old, Kehkashan Basu has campaigned on issues spanning hunger, climate change, and gender equality for years, leading her to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 25 Women of Influence in 2018. This year, she participated in the Generation Equality Forum with other young activists as part of UN Women's Generation Equality Youth Task Force, where she underscored the importance of recognizing intersectionality when fighting poverty.

"In developing regions, poverty, hunger, gender abuse, and inequality are all interlinked, and [my organization] essentially addresses their intersectionality to elevate them out of poverty while helping to restore their natural environment and biodiversity," Basu told Global Citizen.

At age 12, she founded the Green Hope Foundation, which empowers vulnerable people - such as women and refugees - to implement sustainable agricultural practices. She believes that with more thoughtful ways of practicing agriculture, humanity can address the interconnected problems that stem from climate change.

"Unless we regenerate planetary health and restore nature's balance, it will be impossible to solve global hunger," Basu said.

Follow Kehkashan Basu on Instagram and Twitter.

2. Leah Namugerwa, Uganda

Seventeen-year-old Leah Namugerwa is an activist from Uganda fighting to make her home country, and the world, a more sustainable place for all people. In 2018, she learned of the high rates of hunger that people in Northern Uganda were experiencing due to drought and landslides, which were brought on by climate change.

She began striking on Fridays in front of the Ugandan Parliament, inspired by Greta Thunberg's campaign Fridays for Future. Since then, Namugerwa has advocated for planting trees, banning plastic bags, and saving the Bugoma Forest to prevent the human consequences that will emerge from climate change.

Follow Leah Namugerwa on Instagram and Twitter.

3. Joshua Williams, United States

We are excited to announce that Joshua Williams is a finalist for the @MiamiChamber#2020HYPEAwards! This annual recognition honors our community's young professionals who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in their field. Congrats, Joshua!
*#Miami#MiamiChamber pic.twitter.com/tbOdlhnUMX
- Joshua's Heart (@joshuasheart) December 9, 2020

At just 4 years old, Joshua Williams knew that no one should be hungry. While walking with his mom, Williams gave his pocket money to a person experiencing homelessness and started paying attention to how widespread the problem of food insecurity is in the United States and other countries.

The organization that arose from his beliefs, Joshua's Heart Foundation, distributes food and other types of aid to hundreds of thousands of people around the world. Now at age 20, Williams' activism has inspired other young people to take action to defeat poverty by volunteering and starting their open branches of Joshua's Heart Foundation.

Follow Joshua Williams' foundation on Twitter.

4. Webster Makombe, Zimbabwe

In 2019, Global Citizen spoke to Webster Makombe about his work to fight malnutrition in Zimbabwe by working with government leaders and organizations to prioritize access to safe, sufficient, and nutritious food. Now, at age 21, Makombe followed up with Global Citizen to share how he has continued his activism.

"There was a huge drawback on some of the progress that had been made, however the [COVID-19] pandemic has been able to put some of the hunger and nutrition issues that we have been advocating for [in] the spotlight," he told Global Citizen. "So, during the whole year of 2020 spilling into this year, I have been working on calling for the transformation of food systems and social behaviors towards food."

Makombe is a core leader of the #Act4Change campaign, which demands government leaders implement sustainable agricultural practices to fight world hunger. He is also working on completing his education, with the goal of becoming a policy maker who prioritizes laws to end hunger and defend the planet.

"We as young people should focus on regenerative and sustainable agriculture, working towards nourishing people and [the] planet together," Makombe said.

Follow Webster Makombe on Instagram and Twitter.

5. Sophie Healy-Thow, Ireland

Sophie Healy-Thow is a youth activist who focuses on improving access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food in undernourished communities. While studying International Development and Food Policy in Ireland, Healy-Thow is also a member of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement (SUN), which engages activists, organizations, and world leaders to end malnutrition to fight world hunger.

She also sees a clear connection between issues like gender equality, climate change, and world hunger, which inspired her to work on helping women in agriculture implement sustainable growing methods. Earlier this year, Healy-Thow addressed the interconnected problems through The Midday Snackbox, a podcast she produced with anti-poverty organization Concern.

Follow Sophie Healy-Thow on Instagram and Twitter.
You can join the Global Citizen Live campaign to defend the planet and defeat poverty by taking action here, and become part of a movement powered by citizens around the world who are taking action together with governments, corporations, and philanthropists to make change.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
5 Youth Activists Tackling World Hunger to Follow on International Youth Day

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
International Youth Day, designated by the UN in the year 2000, is celebrated every Aug. 12 to recognize young people living around the world and the distinct issues that will affect the next generation of world leaders, activists, and Global Citizens.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In a world where 690 million people still go to bed hungry, the World Food Programme (WFP) works to end hunger by saving lives in emergencies and changing lives with projects that empower individuals and communities to become self-reliant. And we all have a role to play: the power and passion of young people to come together and make change is key to building the future we want for our world . Here are five things that YOU can do to help us reach zero hunger.

1. Get informed

The first step towards ending hunger together is familiarizing yourself with the problem - and its scale. For instance, did you know the number of people at risk of falling into famine has increased to 41 million?

Yemen and South Sudan are the countries currently most at risk. The majority of people affected by famine live in Africa in places such as the Tigray region of Ethiopia, which is of particular concern to WFP at the moment. However, the threat of extreme hunger is increasing in most regions around the world. Conflict is the main driver, but climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic are also contributing to increasing food insecurity.

2. Spread the word

To raise awareness and share knowledge, this year WFP started the and share it in solidarity with the 690 million people who go to bed hungry every night. Hundreds of young creators joined in and shared their invisible meal. Thanks to this overwhelming support, the challenge on had more than 1.3 billion video views! That's 1.3 billion chances to spread the word and make a difference! (#InvisibleMeal challenge on TikTok. The idea was for people to film a cooking video - using - #InvisibleMeal Follow WFP on TikTok for more engagement opportunities and don't miss your chance to speak up!)

3. Play Freerice

Would you like to make a difference for people around the world by playing a game? Freerice is waiting for you then! It is an educational trivia game that helps you improve yourself in different categories such as English proverbs, world heritage sites, world history... and the list goes on, with new categories being constantly added.

How does it work? Every question you answer correctly triggers a financial payment to support WFP's work to reach zero hunger. These payments are represented by grains of rice in the game. 100 percent of all funds generated on Freerice directly go to WFP; Freerice does not earn or keep any money it raises. And 93.5 percent of every payment received by WFP goes directly towards helping children and their families.

4. Donate

To continue saving and changing lives through 2021, WFP needs US$15 billion. All of WFP's operations are entirely funded through voluntary contributions from donor governments, institutions, corporations and individuals. Here are two ways that you can donate:

Through wfp.org, you can donate to provide nutritous food for hungry children and their families. This could be a one-off donation, or a regular, monthly contribution.

You can also use the world's first app against global hunger: ShareTheMeal. The app supports various WFP operations ranging from food assistance in emergencies to school feeding programmes. Did you know that with less than a dollar you can feed one child for a day? All it takes is a tap on the app.

5. Share our values

We believe that hunger has no place in today's world. WFP's work towards a zero-hunger world is driven by our core values of integrity, humanity, commitment, inclusion and collaboration. The world needs the commitment and collaboration of Gen Z'ers to end hunger.
Please share info about hunger with your friends and relatives and inform them on how they can be part of WFP's efforts through Freerice, ShareTheMeal and #InvisibleMeal.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
5 ways Gen Z'ers can help end hunger | World Food Programme

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In a world where 690 million people still go to bed hungry, the World Food Programme (WFP) works to end hunger by saving lives in emergencies and changing lives with projects that empower individuals and communities to become self-reliant.

# data[].attributes.headline
Teen Fights Global Hunger and Poverty With 'Heart'

# data[].attributes.subject
Teen Fights Global Hunger and Poverty With 'Heart'

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Most 4-year-olds don't think about the well-being of the those less fortunate than themselves. In 2005, Joshua Williams was not your typical 4-year-old. When the South Florida pre-schooler discovered that people in his neighborhood went without food, he founded Joshua's Heart Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the fight against global hunger and poverty through the community service of young people.

Now 16, Joshua has made it his mission to inspire kids to make a global change while stomping out hunger one step at a time. Over the past 12 years, the foundation has distributed 2,000,000 lbs of food, raised $580,000, impacted 450,000 individuals with aid and assistance in the U.S., Jamaica, Haiti, Mexico, Philippines, India, Costa Rica, and recruited over 12,500 volunteers.

1. What inspired you to fight global hunger and poverty at such a young age?

I first learned that people in my community were going hungry when I was four-and-a-half. At this age, it was hard for me to conceptualize the severity of these issues and the difficulty in tackling them, but there was one thing I knew I wanted to do: help others.

Like most businesses, it starts as a passion or as a hobby, and what I loved to do was help others, make a difference, and put a smile on others faces. Joshua's Heart was the result of this passion. I started community service a couple weeks after I first learned that people were homeless in my community. Enlisting the help of my family (mom, 6 aunts, cousins, and grandma), I was able to start cooking food for members of the homeless community around my area. Every weekend, we would distribute home cooked meal in takeout containers to the homeless. This family-run program grew to helping over 200+ individuals every weekend. We had to stop this program because of a littering ordinance in Miami, but I wouldn't let that stop me.

My aunt heard about 501(c)3s on the radio and told my mom and me about it. Together, we filled out the application and Joshua's Heart was born. Since then Joshua's Heart Foundation has kept growing, allowing us to help more people-something I continue to love to do and hope to be able to keep doing for a while

2. How do you decide on recipients and what are some of your programs?

One of Joshua's Heart's main programs is our distribution program. This is the main way we give food and in-kind aid to our recipients. These distributions are essentially mobile pantries. We partner with different locations for distributions. These partners include community centers, churches, and schools. Recipients are chosen from various places, but two of the most common are through referrals from our location host and from our database of recipients. We also spread the word about the distribution event to the local community through flyers, word of mouth, and community leaders/events. Depending on the amount of food we have available or other factors, we may have an open event or a private pre-registered event. Open events allow for a "first come first served" flow while pre-registered events require families to register online before the event.

Over time I've learned more about businesses, NGOs, and social issues at the same time Joshua's Heart has grown in size and impact. We have started new programs and have served in different corners of the world. One of our other programs is the hope box event. This event is focused on helping the homeless population in Miami. We hand pack an emergency supply shoe box that contains a sandwich, toiletries, and hygiene products. A group of kids, adults, and myself walk around Downtown Miami and hand-deliver hundreds of boxes to any people who are currently homeless. This event is very powerful and impacts the volunteers and the recipients. These experiences are a big part of the Joshua's Heart culture and give our volunteers a unique experience.

3. The focus of this week's newsletter is "creating a new day." How does Joshua's Heart bring about a "new day" for its recipients?

The recipients who come for aid and assistance come from all different backgrounds. Some of them have been in an economic slump for a couple months and are struggling. Some have multiple jobs and even then, need assistance. I've even met former millionaires who've lost everything in a series of unfortunate events. Joshua's Heart has taught me many lessons and given me many opportunities, but the one I'm most grateful for is the ability it gives me to help others. It allows me to help the people who need it the most. I can help people who need a little push into a new day. Joshua's Heart's aid allows families and recipients to get the assistance that will keep them above water for a couple weeks. This can be the boost that allows them to catch up on bills or take care of much-needed things, allowing them to have a new day. The aid can help people hovering under the poverty line push out into a better place and a new day.

Creating a new day is also about finding a new perspective and learning something new. One of my goals in Joshua's Heart was to teach all my volunteers something new through a unique experience. All Joshua's Heart events are focused around an intimate experience between volunteer and recipient, hard work, and learning about yourself, others, and the world. Meeting various people from recipients to CEO's of fortune 500 companies have given me personally a unique blend of experiences and conversations. I've become truly grateful for everything that I have and have learned countless lessons from my business experiences at Joshua's Heart. These are experiences that I want to give to other kids. Providing a distinctive experience that pushes a person to a new day is very important to me as well.

4. How do you recruit kids to volunteer and participate? Tell us about your board and its members.

Joshua's Heart has always been a youth-focused and run organization and because of this focus on youth, its created a volunteer base that is largely under 18 years old. Many of the kids who first joined JHF were close friends of mine. Word of mouth was the first method of advertisement and it still is very prominent for us. As we expanded we realized we needed more volunteers to assist us. There was one place we knew we could find a lot of potential youth volunteers: schools. We were able to get schools to recommend JHF as an organization where their students could volunteer. Media attention through the years has also been a great aid in getting new volunteers, but we see more volunteers come from school referrals and word of mouth.

Our new adult board is small, but all the members are dedicated and passionate people who are willing to help bring Joshua's Heart to a new level. Joshua's Heart doesn't have any full-time staff. We are an entirely volunteer-run organization. This can make it hard my mother and I as we are the ones who put the most time into preparing events and coordinating people. I'm a high school student and she runs a business and adding another business on top makes things very busy.

In addition, we have the Junior Advisory Board (JAB) which is a group of kids under 18 who are Joshua's Hearts "elite volunteers." These kids are kids who understand the power they have to change the world and are dedicated to helping others. The JAB is a training ground where the kids learn leadership, business, fundraising, public speaking, and interviewing skills. We have three chapters in Miami (FL), Boca Raton (FL), and Westport (CT). This is the eighth.year of the program and we have plans to keep expanding and develop the program.

5.) What are your future plans for yourself and for your foundation?

I'm a senior now and just finished turning in all my applications for college. I'm looking forward to starting a new journey at wherever I get accepted. I love computers and business, so I'm aiming to major in computer science and minor in some aspect of business or vice versa. I always see Joshua's Heart continuing and growing to a truly international level. Someone once told me that to take care of others I must be able to take care of myself first. I plan to start my own businesses and always incorporate philanthropy in them. Being able to financially support and sponsor Joshua's Heart is a dream of mine.

For more information about Joshua's Heart Foundation, go to joshuasheart.org.

READ MORE STORIES THAT MOVE HUMANITY FORWARD

SIGN UP FOR MARIA'S SUNDAY PAPER

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Teen Fights Global Hunger and Poverty With 'Heart'

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Most 4-year-olds don't think about the well-being of the those less fortunate. In 2005, Joshua Williams was not your typical 4-year-old. When the South Florida pre-schooler discovered that people in his neighborhood went without food, he founded Joshua's Heart Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the fight against global hunger and poverty through the community service of young people.

# data[].attributes.headline
Meet 10 activist fighting food insecurity 

# data[].attributes.subject
Meet 10 activist fighting food insecurity 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Communities grappling with food insecurity have found support through activists determined to address the crisis head-on, including 10 who aren't even adults.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as a "household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food."

Nearly 40 million Americans, including almost 12 million children, faced food insecurity in 2020, according to Feeding America.

Ten kids in particular are being recognized for their activism as honorees of the 10 Under 20 Food Heroes Awards. Every year, Hormel Foods highlights youth across the nation finding innovative ways to promote a transparent, secure and more sustainable food system.

The chosen group traveled to Hormel Foods headquarters in Austin, Minnesota Wednesday to connect with and learn from food leaders and pursue grants to further support their philanthropic dreams.

Meet this year's honorees:
Hunger vs Food insecurity: Here's the difference and what you should know.
Shrusti Amula, 16, founder of Rise N Shine Foundation

When Shrusti Amula learned that food waste contributes to climate change, she had an idea. The 16-year-old from Maryland decided to use the climate crisis to help address hunger and homelessness, according to Hormel's profiles of the winners.

In 2019, Shrusti founded the Rise N Shine Foundation and started her first composting program at a local school. She quickly saw the positive impact it created.

Partnering with multiple local schools and corporate sponsors, the organization currently runs composting programs in eight schools and has gathered over 150,000 meals for families facing food insecurity.

Through her efforts, she has diverted 200,000 pounds of food waste from landfills and helped schools reach the "Green School" certification process.

Cavanaugh Bell, 9, founder of Cool & Dope

Nine-year-old Cavanaugh Bell from Maryland created a nonprofit organization that aims to end bullying, spread positivity and tackle food insecurity, according to Hormel.

Cool & Dope has provided food and critical medical supplies to over 10,000 people and has been nationally recognized by elected leaders including Vice President Kamala Harris.

"Oh, my goodness, Cavanaugh, you are amazing," Harris tells the boy in a video. "The thing that you're doing, it also points out there's nothing too small or too big that can be done when you're a leader to help other people."

"I got tired of people telling me that I was too young to volunteer," Cavanaugh said about how he's felt since age five.

"And after being bullied, I channeled that darkness I felt into a massive spark to change the world!" he shared.

William Cabaniss, 17, founder of Vanilla Feeds Tomorrow

17-year-old William Cabaniss founded Vanilla Feeds Tomorrow in 2020 to help accommodate the high demand at food banks in his East Tennessee community. A news report on the rise of food security during the pandemic and his love for baking inspired his organization.

Williams makes and sells his own vanilla extract and donates the profit to Second Harvest Food Bank to tackle hunger. The group has raised over $200,000 and offered 601,215 meals to local residents.

"It has always bothered me that someone could be truly hungry," Cabaniss said on his website. "Enlightened of the struggle food banks are experiencing during the outbreak of COVID-19, I decided to start a nonprofit to raise money for a local food bank."

Claire Chi, 17, founder of Dancing Against Hunger

Claire Chi, a 17-year-old from Pennsylvania, founded Dancing Against Hunger in 2022 to combat food insecurity in schools. Her organization offers dance workshops for youth and uses the profits made through its events to donate thousands of dollars to food banks.

With over 900 participants, the organization has garnered 2,300 donations for local food banks that distribute directly to schools and low-income families. She has also presented a Ted Talk at Penn State to talk about the impact kids have had on the fight against hunger.

Chi said on her website that her father faced food insecurity as a child coming from 26 generations of fishermen and is grateful he consistently provided for a family of five.

"I have traveled to rural China and other regions stricken by poverty. I have witnessed hunger and desperation. Between myself and those who live in poverty, there is only luck; I feel so lucky that I have never gone hungry," Chi said.

"I cannot and would never be able to describe the privilege to my quality of life. I wonder: How is one able to learn, to work, to truly live without food security? My hope is that one day, no child goes hungry."

Mari Copeny, 15, founder of Flint Kids Projects

After the Flint Water Crisis struck Mari Copeny's Michigan hometown, she knew she wanted to be a catalyst for change. Through her Flint Kids project, the now 15-year-old has raised over $600,000 to support children in Flint and distributed 17,000 backpacks filled with school supplies. She is determined to find new ways to support Flint and other communities facing water toxicity.

Copeny wrote a letter to Barack Obama in 2016 urging him to visit Flint to survey the water crisis for himself and even got to hug the president at the White House. Obama eventually approved $100 million in relief for the city.

"I would have been happy to see Mari in Washington but when something like this happens a young girl shouldn't have to go to Washington to be heard," Obama said during a 2016 speech. "I thought her president should come to meet with her."

Ethan Hill, 13, founder of Ethan's Heart-Bags4Blessings

In 2016, Ethan Hill knew he wanted one thing for Christmas: to be shown kindness. The now 13-year-old used $100 of his Christmas money to purchase and donate essential survival items to people living under a local freeway underpass in Birmingham, Alabama, and hence, Ethan's Heart-Bags4Blessings was born.

Hill continues to seek donations from his community to prevent malnutrition and health issues among people without housing by providing emergency food, drinks, shelter referrals, clothing, sleeping bags, first aid supplies and hygiene products. The organization has collected over 4,500 care packages and survival supplies for the unhoused population.

"Everyday is a day to help someone," Hill said on his organization's website.

Michael Platt, 17- founder of Michaels Desserts

Michael Platt's epilepsy diagnosis meant he had to say goodbye to many of his favorite activities. When he turned 11, he discovered three new passions for business, activism and baking. The now 17-year-old from Washington, D.C. showed that being an entrepreneur, justice advocate and baker are not mutually exclusive when he founded Michaels Desserts. With every cupcake sold, he donates the funds to someone who can't afford to treat themself.

With his platform, has helped thousands of people and continues to speak up about food insecurity. The multi-hyphenate is also a published author with two books including "Recipes for Change," which shares a journey through a year in Black history covering 12 important events with a recipe inspired by each.

Platt has also presented a TedX Talk and been featured in on Good Morning America and The Today Show.

Michelle Song, 16, founder of Community for Environmental Sustainability

This next young activist is a real buzz. Michelle Song, a 16-year-old from North Carolina, regularly advocates for nutrition education, reducing hunger and awareness about bees and pollinators. After founding the Community for Environmental Sustainability in 2021, she nurtures a community garden and orchard and runs a nutrition education program while simultaneously distributing fresh food to people in need.

Passionate about engaging volunteers, Song also conducts educational STEM demos on gardening and beekeeping at schools and summer camps.

Khloe Thompson, 15, founder of Khloe Kares Project

Khloe Thompson began supporting her Illinois community at eight years old when she started distributing her homemade "kare bags" with essential toiletries to homeless women. Since founding the Khloe Kares Project, the now 15-year-old works toward helping homeless women transition into stable housing by providing tools and by spreading awareness.

According to her website, Thompson also has international goals to end water insecurity in schools lacking access to clean, safe water.

Te'Lario Watkins II, 15, founder of Tiger Mushroom Farms

Te'Lario Watkins II founded his organization selling his mushrooms at Ohio farmers markets after a Cub Scout project. He also donates produce to local food banks to address hunger and food insecurity in the area. The now 15-year-old delivers fresh shiitake and oyster mushrooms to farmers markets with some of his products even appearing on various restaurant menus.

His work through Tiger Mushroom Farms quickly received attention from media outlets as well as the Steve Harvey Show in 2019. Te'Lario was honored as a 20 Under 20 Youth Leader by the mayor of Columbus.

"Listen to me man that's exactly how [success] it happens. Don't you think for a minute that it works any other way. You keep dreaming just like that," Harvey told Te'Lario on the show. "He's going to be a zillionare."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Meet 10 activists under 17 years old honored for helping fight food insecurity

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Every year Hormel Foods recognizes young people who are finding innovative ways to promote a transparent, secure and more sustainable food system. Here are the honorees.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Across the world, millions of people are going hungry. We need YOUR help today to reach them with lifesaving food.

Here's What You Can Do

Millions of people go to sleep every night in pain from hunger. We do everything we can to reach them, but right now we're facing the biggest scale-up in our organization's history, and we need your help. There are so many ways you can get involved: Raise awareness. Host a fundraiser. Be an advocate. Any step you take brings us one meal closer to solving hunger for good.

Learn & Act

Write to Congress

Send emails to your representative advocating for support to end world hunger.

Email Congress +

Help Raise Money

Play Freerice

It's a game! You pick the topic, Freerice asks you trivia questions, and 10 grains of rice are donated every time you answer a question correctly.

Learn More +

Share a Meal

WFP's ShareTheMeal app has generated over 89 million meals to date. With just a tap on your smartphone you can "share your meal" with someone in need.

Learn More +

You Can Help Save Lives Today

Make a donation to send food to the hungriest people in the world. You can make a direct impact with your gift!

Be Part of a Global Movement

There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals agreed upon by more than 190 member states of the United Nations, and there's a reason Zero Hunger is at the top of the list: If people don't have enough to eat, they won't have the strength to reach the other goals.
Click on an icon to see how food fuels each goal.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Help End World Hunger - Get Involved with the World Food Program

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Across the world, millions of people are going hungry. We need YOUR help today to reach them with lifesaving food. Here's What You Can Do Millions of people go to sleep every night in pain from hunger. We do everything we can to reach them, but right now we're facing the biggest scale-up in our organization's history, and we need your help.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
* The United Nations Foundation lays out five reasons we should care about the state of the hunger crisis in the world and offers some alarming statistics intended to spur action.

* How can UN agencies utilize partnerships in order to address world hunger? What can international aid organizations do to build more sustainable solutions?

* Read about the app in Nigeria that reduces food waste and fights hunger.

We live in a world in which one in nine people are undernourished. That's about 11% of the world's population or 795 million people.

Malnourishment can compromise immune systems, delay cognitive development, stunt growth, cause pregnancy complications, and so much more. The good news is we have solutions to help people around the world get the nourishment they need to survive and thrive.

Here are five reasons why you should care about this work:

Malnutrition is a leading cause of death for young children. The World Food Program (WFP) states that almost half (45%) of deaths of children under 5 are caused by malnutrition - that's 3.1 million children per year who don't live to celebrate their 5th birthday.

It prevents children from learning and harms future earning potential. According to the United Nations, 66 million primary-school aged children attend class hungry.

The first 1,000 days is vital to children's futures. According to UNICEF, "Poor nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a child's life can lead to stunted growth, which is irreversible and associated with impaired cognitive ability and reduced school and work performance."

It is possible to end world hunger. The United Nations estimates that we need an additional $267 billion per year on average to end world hunger. This number may sound overwhelming, but to put it in context, consumers spend about $270 billion annually on sportswear such as sneakers and yoga pants.

We are making progress against malnourishment. According to the Food and Agriculture of the UN (FAO), the prevalence of undernourishment in developing regions declined from 18.6% in 1990-92 to 10.9% in 2014-16.

The UN and its agencies are working to help end hunger and provide proper nourishment to all people, from promoting economic opportunities, to support small farmers, to providing emergency food aid.
Read the full article about why we should care about hunger by Niki Rubin at United Nations Foundation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why You Should Care About the Hunger Crisis

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The United Nations Foundation lays out five reasons we should care about the state of the hunger crisis in the world and offers some alarming statistics intended to spur action. How can UN agencies utilize partnerships in order to address world h

# data[].attributes.headline
Teen Club aims to raise $32,000 to fight hunger in schools

# data[].attributes.subject
Teen Club aims to raise $32,000 to fight hunger in schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Teen Club aims to raise $32,000 to fight hunger in schools | Leader-News

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Club gears up for February’s popular Penguin Plunge fundraiser, but works to fight food insecurity every week The 4-H Teen Club is gearing up for another Penguin Plunge, and while watching people jump in the frigid waters of the Central City outdoor pool in February is a good time, the reason for the event is

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Young People Are Fighting Hunger and Finding Purpose (Published 2020)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
“These amazing young kids are running the whole show,” said the owner of the Wood Cafe, which gives away food. “Their energy propels it.”

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Meet story and Daily Point of Light Award honoree Amogh Baranwal . Read hi s nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
In the town of Miramar, Florida, just 30 minutes outside of Miami, Amogh Baranwal is leading a revolution. It's not political or motivated by recognition. It's human and based on the simple idea that everyone deserves to eat. With Joshua's Heart Foundation (JHF), Amogh is tackling poverty and hunger head on. The organization has done work in six states and on four continents. Collectively, volunteers like Amogh has served five million meals and recruited 60,000 other youth volunteers.

Amogh joined the fight as a six-year-old when his parents took him to a food distribution. Today, at 17 and with over 1,000 hours under his belt, he is the Chair of the Junior Advisory Board of JHF and an advocate with Bread for the World. He focuses on both charity and justice. As an outgoing people-person, Amogh had to find new ways to communicate during the pandemic lockdown and thrives as he leads meetings, hosts educational seminars and meets with congressional representatives.

So, what does the future hold for a teenager with a passion for improving the lives of others? Amogh is eyeing an MD with a Master's in Public Health, following his older sister into the medical field. In the meantime, he'll continue helping people in need by working to change the system while providing temporary solutions.

I was six the first time I attended a Thanksgiving food distribution. I remember giving another kid who looked exactly like me-someone the same age who grew up in the same area but had much less-a grocery bag full of food. The smiles that come from such simplistic things has made an impact on me ever since.

My parents grew up in India and moved to the States almost 30 years ago. They never got the opportunity to volunteer growing up. It was just a different culture. So, when they came to America and saw students doing service, they really liked the concept of giving back, regardless of requirements. If I wanted to go somewhere to help out, they would make time to let me go there and provide me all the resources I needed to be helpful. Their love and passion for it is definitely something they've passed on to me.

I'm so fortunate to be able to go home and have a full meal and not think twice about whether I'll eat tomorrow. Some people have to have the mindset that this might be their last meal in a while. Making sure that every kid has a plate of food in front of them was something that inspired me to continue working with the foundation.

I've helped run a lot of food drives and distributions. As chair of the Junior Advisory Board, I've brought together hundreds of youth across the country, run meetings and advised on how to bring about change and how to build upon the structure we've already created.

Before this, I was one of the kids doing projects. Now, I'm able to guide them and give them all the tools they need to achieve the goals they set. Joshua's Heart has the resources and will support them however it's needed. We try to give back to the community by fostering an environment where youth can take charge and make an impact.

Recently, someone taught us the difference between charity and justice. Charity is a band-aid while justice is fixing a problem before it starts. Both are extremely important. Without charity, we would let problems go awry; people wouldn't be able to get the resources they need. Without justice, people continue to get into the position where they need charity.

Being able to work on both ends has been enlightening. We do charitable events with Joshua's Heart. Through Bread for the World, I lean into advocacy. I've held racial wealth gap seminars, which help people learn about racial disparity and how it impacts nutrition and access to food security. I had a conversation with the late representative Alcee Hastings from Broward County in his Washington, D.C. office, and he ended up passing House Resolution 189 which helps mitigate female malnutrition in regards to prenatal health.

My work with Joshua's Heart has allowed me to think of health and food in a more big-picture way. Most recently, I ran a youth advocacy conference. I taught hundreds of students how they could write letters to their representatives and held Offerings of Letters, giving participants talking points and background information for expressing support or criticism of specific policies or legislation.

I think the most rewarding part has been seeing our impact. It has grown a lot since I was six. When we see people smile when we hand them food or when they get back on their feet... That is the most rewarding part. Seeing that people are finding benefit in the work that we're putting into the foundation.

Another big part is when the youth that I've been able to help helps others, and I'm able to help create a new generation of leaders. Our world sometimes seems scary and unknown, especially in Florida, but we're still going strong.

are some other things you've learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

I've learned a lot of people skills and life skills. It's allowed me to grow as a person by tenfold. I've learned how to talk to different people, whether it be community members who might not have as much as we do or people who have much more than we do, like big sponsors or Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott.

Learning how to make my voice heard has been invaluable. Everyone living in a community has the right to talk about what's happening there, including youth. We all have a voice. No one is too young to take charge. No one is too young to make a difference.

We've also been modernizing Joshua's Heart Foundation, so I've been learning things like business skills, Intel and working with Excel. It's been empowering. When I go into the real world, I'll be well-equipped.

I'm really excited to see how all of our new tech and programs impact how we run. I think we'll make even more of an impact. Essentially, I'm looking forward to increasing the number of people that benefit from our programs and adding new partners along the way.

It's crucial for us to come together as a community to help tackle problems. Youth can take charge and really relish in the fact that they have a voice. We are a strong force in the community that's able to take problems we see and work towards solutions. We need to make sure that everybody who is passionate about something has the capability and the resources they need to do that.

I think the general theme of my story is that no one is too young to take charge. Just because you might not be able to vote or drive or do other things that adults can do doesn't mean you don't have a voice in your community. If anyone gains anything from my story, I hope it's that they can make a difference.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Amogh? Find local volunteer opportunities .

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Florida Teen Takes a Two-Sided Approach to Global Hunger and Poverty - Points of Light

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Amogh Baranwal. Read his story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What can I do to help world hunger? 10 simple ideas

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ending global hunger will require a global effort. But there are plenty of ways you can help end hunger. Here are 10 simple ideas.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We are at the crossroads of one of the greatest challenges of our time: How do we end world hunger? There are 828 million hungry people in the world, including 349 million people facing severe hunger. While this is the largest global food crisis in modern history, we have the solutions for a zero hunger world.

In 2012, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Zero Hunger challenge as the U.N. plan to end world hunger. The challenge reflects five elements from within the Sustainable Development Goals which taken together can end hunger. These Zero Hunger solutions can massively transform agriculture and food systems. In addition to these five solutions, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) knows the majority of the world's hungriest people live in conflict-affected areas. For this reason, we include a sixth Zero Hunger solution: break the cycle of conflict and hunger.

Here is how the U.N. World Food Programme works tirelessly to execute these solutions and end world hunger.

1. Break the Cycle of Conflict and Hunger

With almost 60% of the world's hungriest people living in conflict affected zones, conflict is the greatest challenge to Zero Hunger.

Conflict and hunger create a vicious cycle. When war erupts, instability forces people to find illicit and sometimes violent means of acquiring their necessities. In this unstable period where access to food is fought over, the risk of social unrest heightens.

The U.N. World Food Programme is on the frontlines of the world's worst conflicts, going where others can't to deliver lifesaving food in the hardest-to-reach areas. The agency's work to solve hunger has contributed to improving prospects for peace - effectively breaking the conflict and hunger cycle. In conflict zones, the U.N. World Food Programme is there to provide food and cash assistance, keep kids in classrooms with school meals and rebuild infrastructure through community projects.

In 2020, the U.N. World Food Programme became the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and was recognized by the Nobel Committee "for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict." The U.N. World Food Programme's Nobel Peace Prize is a powerful call to action, recognizing the important link between conflict and hunger and the critical role of food assistance as a building block to peace and stability.

Related Articles:

2. Increase Sustainability and Build Resilience to Climate Change

Climate extremes are one of the main drivers of severe hunger. We have entered a 'new normal' where consecutive and extreme weather events - like droughts, flooding, hurricanes and cyclones - decimate farming and drive displacement. As a result, communities constantly operate in recovery mode: Diminished economies, destroyed infrastructure and disrupted access to food significantly reduce people's capacity to rebuild their livelihoods and prepare for the next imminent disaster.

The U.N. World Food Programme helps communities build resilience to climate change through long-term solutions including:

Reforestation and land rehabilitation projects

Climate insurance for small-scale farmers

Providing local institutions with access to sustainable energy solutions

To tackle the challenges of climate change, food availability and food access, we must also help farmers grow a more diverse range of crops and livestock. That's why the U.N. World Food Programme teaches farmers new techniques, equips them with tools and educates their communities about the nutritional importance of eating a wide range of foods.

3. Address Poverty & Inequality Through Social Safety Nets

Poverty and inequality are the root causes of global hunger. Imagine being a mother who must forgo her daily meals to feed her children, or a farmer who must sell food rations in exchange for farming equipment.

The U.N. World Food Programme helps governments strengthen national safety nets that safeguard their citizens from poverty, inequality and hunger. By 2030, the U.N. World Food Programme aims to substantially increase people's access to their national social protection systems - thereby promoting equitable economic growth.

The U.N. World Food Programme is the world's largest provider of humanitarian cash, distributing cash to over 40 million people across 70 countries. The global food crisis is mainly one of access where record-high prices mean people cannot buy what they need. Where markets are functioning, the U.N. World Food Programme can provide cash-based assistance in the form of bank notes, vouchers, debit cards, e-money or mobile money. Cash transfers empower families to decide how to spend their money while supporting local markets and economies.

Through Food for Assets projects, the U.N. World Food Programme offers food or cash assistance while participants work on community assets like roads, dams and irrigation systems. The community-centered approach of coming together to reinvigorate participants' environment has extra benefits like promoting nutrition, gender equality and social protection. For example, in Mozambique, the Food For Assets program provides female farmers with opportunities to test out innovative farming techniques designed to build their harvests' resilience to climate change. Participants may also receive agricultural training, which boosts their income and access to food.

4. Help Rural Farmers Connect to Markets

One of the cruelest ironies of hunger is its disproportionate impact on small-scale farmers-the very people who grow food for a living. Small-scale farmers make up the majority of people living in poverty. Their economic losses come from lack of access to production inputs like proper storage, fertilizer and farming equipment as well as constant challenges from climate extremes.

The U.N. World Food Programme works to connect small-scale farmers to local economies while providing them with the resources to improve production, reduce their post-harvest losses, develop business skills and gain access to financial tools.

In over 40 countries the U.N. World Food Programme connects small-scale farmers to markets so that they can supply their own communities with lifesaving food. The program Purchase for Progress (P4P) partners farmers with the private sector, encouraging investments that diversify their crops and expand their business prospects.

5. Reduce Food Waste & Food Loss

The world produces more than enough food to feed everyone, and yet 828 million people still go to bed hungry each night. In high-income countries, 40% of food is wasted because people buy more food than they can consume. In low-income countries, where the vast majority of the world's hungriest people live, most food loss occurs during the early stages of growth, harvest and storage.

The U.N. World Food Programme is working to eliminate food loss and waste by:

Providing farmers with modern storage equipment like silos and air-tight bags

Offering long-lasting foods like flour, dried beans and salt - all properly packaged in sturdy containers

Investing in innovations like hydroponics that allow communities to grow, sell and store food in the harshest conditions

Selling and storing food in impossible places due to exposure of extreme temperatures, excess dust and general pollution

Advocating for policy that distributes American-grown crops to people in need - like the U.S. Farm Bill which supplies the U.N. World Food Programme with U.S. agricultural commodities like rice, corn, wheat and soybeans for people abroad

6. Eliminate Malnutrition in Mothers & Children

45% of deaths among children under age 5 are caused by malnutrition. The first two years of a baby's life are critical when it comes to receiving the nourishment they need to grow into a healthy adult. From Fortified Blended Foods to High Energy Biscuits, the U.N. World Food Programme ensures millions of children and pregnant and nursing women have access to specialized nutritious food. Last year, the U.N. World Food Programme reached more than 17 million mothers and children with programs to prevent and treat malnutrition.

What You Can Do to End World Hunger

Zero Hunger may seem like an impossible goal, but through these six solutions we can make this dream a reality. The U.N. World Food Programme plays a vital role in that work by:

Ensuring people in conflict-affected areas will not have food weaponized against them

Anticipating, responding to and building resilience against the shocks and stresses of climate extremes

Leveraging social safety nets, cash assistance and infrastructure to financially empower communities and local markets

Connecting small-scale farmers with the tools they need to maintain sustainable agriculture for their country's food security

Making sure that the ample food that is grown across the world does not go to waste due to improper management or redistribution

Protecting groups affected by or at risk of malnutrition (primarily mothers and children) by supplying them with specialized nutritious foods

You also play a vital role in ending world hunger. There are a lot of ways you can be part of creating a Zero Hunger world like playing the Freerice game, signing advocacy petitions or starting a fundraising campaign. Discover how you can be part of the solution for global hunger.

Unless action is taken now, millions of people have the potential to fall into deeper levels of hunger. We can respond to this global emergency by addressing hunger at its root causes. We all have an obligation to build a future that better serves our planet and all the people that live on it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to End World Hunger: 6 Zero Hunger Solutions

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How do we end world hunger? The world faces the largest global food crisis in modern history. Here are six solutions.