HUNGER CAN BE STOPPED

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 

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