Times Of Swaziland: HUNGER CAN BE STOPPED

HUNGER CAN BE STOPPED
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Editor on 15/10/2024 08:16:00


Sir,
They say a picture paints a thousand words. While words tend to be quickly
forgotten, pictures leave lasting impressions. People will read terrible stories
in the news media about fellow human beings dying of starvation, before moving
to the next article, without even giving it a second thought. But a picture of a
child dying a slow and painful death because of not having food brings that
reality to life.
Experts
The ‘experts’ claim that this generation is the richest one that has ever
lived, judging by the sheer number of billionaires and millionaires in the world
today. But the sad reality is that even in a world of plenty, countless people
still go to bed hungry, even in the so-called ‘developed world’ where
thousands of tons of food goes to waste every year.
It is estimated that over 35 million people go hungry in the world’s
wealthiest country, the US. Access to food and clean water are fundamental human
rights, and yet politicians tend to focus on issues like abortion rights or
transgender rights, while ignoring the plight of those who do not have anything
to eat.
Strategy
It took less than two years for the world to come up with a strategy to combat
the COVID-19 pandemic, and no amount was spared in developing and producing
vaccines which, it seems, will eventually become mandatory despite the evidence,
which shows that they do not prevent the transmission of the virus from person
to person.
While people who choose not to be vaccinated are facing increasing
discrimination in society, the ‘pro-choice’ movement which supports abortion
rights for women has been scoring many victories around the world.
Malnourished
And while these things have been happening, countless people in places like
Tigray in Ethiopia, the DRC, Yemen and even right here in Eswatini are
malnourished and starving. If a vaccine that doesn’t stop the transmission of
a virus can be developed and made mandatory in just a couple of years, then what
has been preventing humanity from ending hunger? There is a direct correlation
between a proper diet and a strong immune system, so why can’t food be also
made mandatory?
LiSwati citizen