2
Hunger: The Hidden Crisis
you may believe one person can't change anything but that's what everyone thinks, so simply if we all change the way we think then we can make a change as even the small stuff adds up. Here are some practical things we can all try.
people face hunger worldwide
people are undernourished
cannot afford a healthy diet
of child deaths linked to malnutrition
Hunger is not an accident. It is the result of decisions — political, economic, and social — that we have the power to change.
Daily Impact Guide
Small changes, real impact.
You do not have to be a politician or a billionaire to make a difference. From cutting food waste to supporting local food banks, there are things you can do today.
The world produces enough food to feed everyone on it.
How much do you actually know about hunger?
Think you know the facts? Take our 20-question quiz and find out. You might be surprised.
Key terms explained
The language of hunger.
The hunger crisis comes with a lot of jargon. Here are the key terms you will come across — explained simply.
- Food insecurity
- When people do not have reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food. It ranges from mild worry about running out of food to severe hunger.
- Malnutrition
- A broad term covering both undernutrition (not enough food or nutrients) and overnutrition (too much of the wrong food). Both cause serious health problems.
- Undernutrition
- When the body does not get enough calories, protein, or essential vitamins and minerals. It stunts growth in children and weakens the immune system.
- Stunting
- When a child is significantly shorter than average for their age due to chronic malnutrition. It affects brain development as well as physical growth.
- Wasting
- When a child is dangerously thin for their height, usually caused by sudden severe food shortage or illness. It is life-threatening without treatment.
- SDG 2 — Zero Hunger
- One of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adopted in 2015. It aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030.
- Food waste
- Around one third of all food produced globally is wasted — enough to feed every hungry person on the planet several times over.
- Food bank
- A charity that collects surplus food from supermarkets, farms, and individuals and distributes it free of charge to people who cannot afford to eat.