Mid-October is World Food Day. It takes place every year on October 16. This day of remembrance is intended to draw international attention to the fact that countless people around the world suffer from hunger. This is why it is also known as World Hunger Day. However, the lack of food is often accompanied by a limited supply of clean drinking water.
Global hunger and thirst
TheFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was founded on October 16, 1945. It currently includes almost 200 countries and the European Union. As a special organization within the UN, it is intended to ensure global nutrition. World Food Day was initiated for the first time in 1979. From this year onwards, World Hunger Day took place in many countries around the world. Individual events, organized congresses or contributions from aid organizations are intended to shed light on world nutrition and world hunger and draw more attention to it. Because in many regions of the world, people have to suffer hunger and thirst. Often there is simply not enough food and water available. In addition, the food does not provide the necessary nutrients and active ingredients that the body needs to stay healthy in the long term. Drinking water in particular is often contaminated with impurities or industrial toxins.
Every 7th person affected
Regular and balanced eating and drinking are the basic prerequisites for the health and performance of the human body. Without it, people are neither physically nor mentally resilient. About every 7th person in the world does not have enough basic food to eat and clean water to drink. Children and old people in particular are severely affected by malnutrition and the consequences of starvation. More than half of those who die are malnourished children under the age of 5. According to projections, one person dies every few seconds in the world due to a lack of nutrition. Developing countries are particularly affected. But some emerging countries and even some people in industrialized nations are also suffering from hunger. The need is greatest in Asia, the Pacific region and Africa, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. But hunger is also a problem in Latin America, the Middle East and some Eastern European countries.
Goal of World Food Day
Unfortunately, many human rights that are practiced as a matter of course in Germany are lacking in awareness, opportunity or are simply ignored in many countries around the world. World Food Day is also an occasion to reflect on whether an adequate supply of the most important staple foods and clean water should not also be considered a basic right in all countries of the world.
Help against hunger and thirst: There are numerous organizations that call for donations on World Hunger Day. It is advisable to look out for the DZI donation seal from the German Central Institute for Social Issues. The seal of approval is awarded to reputable donation organizations.
