Hunger and Poverty

What is poverty? Statistics – 2000 Airdrie average earnings: $46,814 Statistics – 2000 Airdrie average earnings: $46,814 Many people in the world live on $1/day Many people in the world live on $1/day Relative or absolute poverty Relative or absolute poverty Relative – can you have a similar standard of living to those around you? Relative – can you have a similar standard of living to those around you? Absolute – a set amount that is considered to be poverty Absolute – a set amount that is considered to be poverty Canada: LICO (low income cut-off) takes both into consideration (size of city and family) Canada: LICO (low income cut-off) takes both into consideration (size of city and family) 2004 LICO for 4 member family was $33,046, single $17,784 for a community the size of Airdrie 2004 LICO for 4 member family was $33,046, single $17,784 for a community the size of Airdrie

Famine is a tragedy, not only because of the intense suffering endured, but also because it is unnecessary. Virtually all agricultural experts agree that the Earth is capable of supporting even the growing population totals of the late 20 th Century. The problem appears to be one of allocation. Many people have more than enough food, while others have too little. This is true even within nations like the United States. Most of the African countries which were stricken with famine during the early 1980s actually produced enough grain to feed their populations. In Mexico, where 80% of the children in rural areas are undernourished, beef cattle consume more grain than the human population. Famine is a tragedy, not only because of the intense suffering endured, but also because it is unnecessary. Virtually all agricultural experts agree that the Earth is capable of supporting even the growing population totals of the late 20 th Century. The problem appears to be one of allocation. Many people have more than enough food, while others have too little. This is true even within nations like the United States. Most of the African countries which were stricken with famine during the early 1980s actually produced enough grain to feed their populations. In Mexico, where 80% of the children in rural areas are undernourished, beef cattle consume more grain than the human population.

Why, then, is malnutrition so widespread? The simple answer is that, throughout the world, the people who are in need of food usually cannot afford to buy it. A factor which contributes to this situation is that landowners in less developed nations often find it more profitable to grow crops or to produce animals for markets in western nations than to grow the food which is needed locally. Moreover, they are often encouraged to produce these cash crops by their own governments. In less developed nations, the money which the government gains from the export of cash crops is needed to pay for imports of manufactured goods.

One baby in six is born underweight Overworked and undernourished mothers means babies are at risk due to insufficient amounts of mother’s milk Poverty and lack of parental education leads to children who are listless and live in unhygienic conditions Lack of energy leads to poor performance at school Lack of education leads to low paying job = inadequate diet and overworked pregnant mothers Where do we stop the cycle?

Diseases related to malnutrition Kwashiorkor – diet too high in starch; thin legs with pot belly; skin breaks down; becomes apathetic Kwashiorkor – diet too high in starch; thin legs with pot belly; skin breaks down; becomes apathetic Marsmus – after attack of diarrhea (digestion unable to handle food), skin becomes thin and wrinkled, can lead to starvation if not treated Marsmus – after attack of diarrhea (digestion unable to handle food), skin becomes thin and wrinkled, can lead to starvation if not treated Keropthalmia – eye disease brought on by lack of Vitamin A Keropthalmia – eye disease brought on by lack of Vitamin A Scurvy – lack of vitamin C Scurvy – lack of vitamin C MSF – Flubby-nut MSF – Flubby-nut