Every year, world leaders, businesses, NGOs, the media, and the general public come together to celebrate significant international days of the UN calendar. In less than 12 hours, another important event will be marked worldwide. Can you guess what that event is? (Clue: check the headline).
As World Food Day 2021 creeps closer, there is no better time to echo the alarm that is constantly sounding. That the world is gripped in the throes of acute hunger is an ugly reality.
Globally, more than 155 million people experience acute food insecurity at crisis level. Even worse, every minute as many as 11 people die of hunger and malnutrition; a figure more than the current global death rate of COVID-19, which is around seven people per minute.
From severe hunger ravaging Angola and Kenya to the food crisis in Nigeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, and many other countries beyond Africa, never has the problem of food insecurity been this critical on a global level. As the world’s most vulnerable communities already experience climate change, hunger and undernourishment are twin threats.
On October 16 this year, World Food Day will be commemorated as a day to take action against hunger, malnutrition, and food wastage. The year’s theme is woven around climate change.
World Food Day 2021: Safe food now for a healthy tomorrow
In the past few years, we’ve seen rapid and erratic changes in the local weather and global climatic patterns that have heralded a series of disastrous events and claimed an untold number of lives directly or indirectly.
Hunger and malnutrition is another factor thrown into the mix. Even now, climate change continues to affect food production, messing up the crop cycle, while increasing weather-related disasters.
In view of this, World Food Day 2021 calls for sustainable ways of producing food, putting in place climate adaptation measures to boost agricultural practices. This year’s theme promotes worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure healthy diets for all.
True, the annual World Food Day goes beyond celebrating our good fortune just because we have something to put on our plates. It is a day to not only reflect on millions of people who live in hunger but actually do something about it.
Perhaps, feeding the whole world is not a realistic goal to set. A more achievable one would be making a difference one household at a time. There is a common misconception that one needs to have so much to be generous and/or kind; however one only needs to be human to care.
As we leave most of the heavy lifting to be done by the governments and other institutions, consider some of the ways you can make this year’s World Food Day a memorable one for you as well as others.
Host a #WorldFoodDay gathering
While you don’t need to max out your credit card, you can touch a life by preparing a nice yet simple meal or food parcel for those who need it the most. In your area, are there families or children who could use a meal? You could host a small gathering and invite these ones to join you.
Avoid food waste
Make it a lifestyle choice to never waste food. Prepare just the right quantity to feed you and/or your household. When food gets bad, you can turn food waste into compost. If you have an interest in gardening, try setting up your kitchen garden in a small space where you can grow herbs, fruits, and vegetables.
Donate to charity organizations
There is a saying that little drops of water make a mighty ocean. So, never underestimate what your $1 donation can do. With the help of like-minded people, your little sum can grow into a large pool of resources that can help to feed thousands of underserved families.
Support local food production
Sampling imported delicacies can be a blast. Still, you could take a timeout and instead focus on locally grown food. On the plus side, they are more fresh, organic, and less expensive. Buying local food is a good way to help local food producers to make an income, thereby taking care of their families.
These are some of the few suggestions I could think of. You may pick any one of them to start with as you plan ahead for World Food Day 2021. Climateaction.Africa wishes you all a happy World Food Day!
