In the United States and other developed nations, hunger is not as much of an issue as it is in
less developed countries. Worldwide, there are about 925 million people who go hungry every day
(“2012 World Hunger”). These people are malnourished and often suffer from several different diseases
like malaria and measles. Most of those who go hungry live far below poverty level and cannot afford to
supply their families with basic care like food, water, and medicine.
Over the years, many organizations have formed to combat the poverty and starvation around
the world. They operate through funding provided by donations from individuals, churches and
governments. Many of their workers are volunteers who sometimes risk their lives to help others. In
November of 2008, six members of the organization Action Against Hunger were kidnapped as they
tried to deliver food and other necessities in Somalia (Ibrahim). Sometimes they are held hostage for
ransom, other times only their supplies are taken. Regardless of the danger, though, these organizations
are determined to help as many people as possible.
World hunger organizations have many different methods of helping the hungry. UNICEF,
probably the most recognized of these organizations, focuses its attention on children who are often the
most visible and heart wrenching victims of starvation (Abbess). They have many different programs in
many countries to raise funds. For instance, on Halloween, many children go trick or treating with
UNICEF banks, which they try to fill with coins. CARE is an organization with several methods of fighting
not just hunger but poverty, as well. They focus on education, fighting against deadly diseases like
HIV/AIDS, they attempt to encourage the local government to become more involved with solving the
problem of hunger. CARE is also trying to find ways to lower the cost of transporting goods and services
to the poorest parts of the nations (Abbess 5). The World Food Programme is part of the United Nations
and has been in operation since 1961. Their various organizations serve more than 90 million people in
more than 73 countries; much of their focus in on emergency management. The WFP seeks to help
developing nations prepare for emergencies like floods or volcanoes so that more lives may be saved.
They also help in rebuilding after the emergency is over (“About WFP”).
World hunger is a complicated issue because, in order to make a difference, a country’s
government must get involved. Many governments in developing nations are, at best, disorganized; at
worst, corrupt. In spite of the danger and frustrations, new organizations join with long-standing ones to
fight against poverty and hunger. They raise money to buy food and to teach the people how to grow
food for themselves. Some of them send in teams of volunteers to help with specific building needs like
digging wells or building hospitals. Others work with government officials to try and help organize relief.
More does need to be done but without these organizations, the people in poverty stricken nations
would have little chance of survival.
Works Cited
Abbess, Elizabeth. "How World Hunger Organizations Work." How Stuff Works. Discovery
Communications, 2012. Web. 7 Nov. 2012.
"About." Action Against Hunger. AFC International, 2012. Web. 7 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/about>.
"About." World Food Programme. World Food Programme, 2012. Web. 7 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.wfp.org/about>.
Ibrahim, Mohamed. "6 Foreign Aid Workers Kidnapped." New York Times 6 Nov. 2008: 19.
EBSChost. Web. 7 Nov. 2012.
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