Hunger, a term used to describe extreme and painful cravings for food (2011 World Hunger, 2011). World hunger is still in an issue in the 21st century, extreme malnutrition largely exists within developing countries (FAO, 2010). FAO, The Food and Agriculture Organization, claims that world hunger has risen to 925 million (13.6% of world population) in 2010, this is caused by factors such as increased food prices and a worldwide economic crisis (FAO, 2010). Poverty is a chronic issue in under developed countries, many people could only afford little food but with the inflation of food prices, the hungry are getting hungrier (Estimating the Short, 2011). Many businesses in Africa are losing profit because the consumers cannot afford the products. The price of goods is rising due to expensive oil, lack of crops and climate change. Due to inflation of food prices, hunger is an increasing issue in under developed countries.

“Figure 1.0: Different poverty levels (Global Issues, 2010)
“Figure 1.0: Different poverty levels (Global Issues, 2010)
Food price inflation has recently been a serious issue around the world. Many are feeling the impact, but those in poorer countries are getting hit the hardest (Estimating the Short, 2011).Within developing countries there is poverty and scarce resources. This is caused by such factors as bad government, low education and lack of health care (Global Issues, 2010).Poverty is a large issue within developing countries; many individuals can barely earn $1.25 a day (The World Bank, 2010) and yet food prices are rising. “Figure 1.0 represents the data collected in 2005 about the different poverty levels; how many people live on few dollars”. This data proves that as long as there is poverty and high priced goods, there will be world hunger.
“Figure 1.2: Hunger in different countries (FAO, 2010)”.
“Figure 1.2: Hunger in different countries (FAO, 2010)”.
“Figure 1.1: The effects of high prices in trade (BBC News. 2008)”.
“Figure 1.1: The effects of high prices in trade (BBC News. 2008)”.
One factor affecting the price increase, is the rise in oil prices (Los Angeles Times, 2009), oil is used to transport goods. It has a major influence on the world wide economy; farmers rely on oil to run their machinery to process crops (CTV, 2011). The prices of food has even sky rocketed; due to the large sum of oil being used to transport food between countries by ship or plane (CTV, 2011). The cost rose so much that it affected trading between countries (Figure 1.1).Poor countries are worried about oil prices rising because this results in increased price of basic crops such as beans and corn; corn has raised to $7 a bushel (CTV, 2011). One of FAO’s economist and grain expert, Abdolreza Abbassian, claims that the rise in price will continue to persist, he believes that “High food prices are of major concern especially for low-income food deficit countries that may face problems in financing food imports and for poor households which spend a large share of their income on food” (UN News Centre, 2011). “Figure 1.2 shows a pie chart that presents data that shows the amount of poverty in different countries”, the FAO states that prices will rise in meat, sugar, oils/fats and cereal (UN News Centre, 2011). “Figure 1.3 is a bar graph of the exponential rises in food within a year”. If oil continues to be expensive, world hunger will be a reoccurring issue.
“Figure 1.3: Food price rises in a year (Global Issues, 2008)”.
“Figure 1.3: Food price rises in a year (Global Issues, 2008)”.

“Figure 1.4: Map of World Hunger (Visual Information, 2011)”.
“Figure 1.4: Map of World Hunger (Visual Information, 2011)”.
The unexpected raise of food prices has increased poverty in Africa. With the 17% decrease of their local dollar and the exponential rise in fuel prices, people are striving to survive. The increase in fuel resulted in the rise of the price of coffee (Estimating the Short, 2011). Fatuma Ahmed, an African mother, sells coffee and tea on the streets to provide for her family. She claims that there has been a decrease in sales, she used to earn $1.80 on the average day but ever since the increase in prices she only earns $1.00 a day (Estimating the Short, 2011). With earning 80 cents less, she cannot afford her house; her family has to live in a room with her sister. Fatuma claims that the people are not buying these foods as frequent because they now view them as luxury items (Estimating the Short, 2011). ”Figure 1.4 is a chloropleth map indicating that Africa is one of the most hunger stricken countries”. She is struggling to survive and keep her family alive, but the rise in food prices has taken away Fatuma’s independence and forcing her to consider alternative jobs (Estimating the Short, 2011).

Another business man, Ali Adam, is an owner of a grocery store. He too has noticed the decrease in sales due to high prices and claims that his store “is no longer making profits and…fewer customers are queuing up for goods” (Estimating the Short, 2011).Adam has noticed that the price of food has risen almost 50% and many consumers cannot afford the basic essentials (Estimating the Short, 2011).

“Figure 1.5: A graph that shows the exponential increase in food prices (BBC, 2008)”.
“Figure 1.5: A graph that shows the exponential increase in food prices (BBC, 2008)”.
The taxi business has also been suffering from the increased fuel prices. John, a taxi driver claims that taking a taxi used to be more popular, he states “We used get more than 20 customers before noon, because all officers and business men were traveling by taxi within the city of Bujumbura, but now very few of them can afford a taxi….We used to get more than US$25 per day but now it is a miracle if we get even $8” (Estimating the Short, 2011).The inflation of prices (Figure 1.5) is increasing poverty in Africa, hardworking African business men are striving to gain profit for their next pay check; price inflation increases hunger in Africa. “Figure 1.7: Picture of starving children (Zach, 2011)”.
“Figure 1.7: Picture of starving children (Zach, 2011)”.
“Figure 1.6: A picture of a dried out field in Africa (CarbonStreamAfrica, 2008)”.
“Figure 1.6: A picture of a dried out field in Africa (CarbonStreamAfrica, 2008)”.
Agriculture is one of the key factors that impacts price inflation. Fields of crops are reducing due to an increase in climate change –a change in the earth’s atmosphere; increasing temperature (Dictionary, 2011). Weather shocks can create many unpredictable catastrophes such as very dry climates, droughts or even flooding (Voice of America, 2009). “Figure 1.6 is a picture of what once used to be a green field, it is now dried out from a drought due to climate change”. Any of these disasters could become catastrophic for crops. In fact, World Food Program Executive Directory, Joesette Sheeran, stated that “for many people around the world the reality of climate change is already being felt” (Voice of America, 2009). In 2010, maize crops dried out, the economy experienced the firsthand impacts it had on prices; the cost for maize in 2010 rose 73% (Estimating the Short, 2011), thus making maize unaffordable to developing countries. Sheeran believes that for the first time in history “over a billion people on earth will go to bed hungry and one of the key factors is increasingly severe and erratic climate” (Voice of America, 2009). “Figure 1.7 is a picture displaying the result of starvation”. According to World Food Program representative, Greg Borrow, the price inflation of food has already increased malnutrition, (Voice of America, 2009) - the lack of a diet (dictionary, 2010). He states that the underdeveloped countries are currently the ones who suffer the most from poverty and weather shocks (Voice of America, 2009). The outcomes of climate change cause the inflation of priced goods (Estimating the Short, 2011).

World hunger is a reoccurring issue that continues to increase. 1 in 7 people are hungry (2011 World Hunger), this is a result of poverty. Most people in developing countries cannot afford goods and suffer most from high priced foods. Price inflation is increasing poverty; with no consumers companies are losing profit. The factors of price increases are expensive oil, dying crops and weather shock. As long as there are high food prices, hunger will continue to rise in developing countries.

STUDENT#1043916 STUDENT NAME: JESSICA FIRMAN

GEOG 1HA3
Human Geographies: Society and Culture

Assignment 3
World Hunger: The Hungry are Getting Hungrier

Instructor`s Name: Dr. Peace
TA`s Name: Jenny Cho
Lab Day/ Time: Wednesday/10:30 a.m.
Date of Submission: Wednesday October 19, 2011

References

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