Yes, we are moving further and further away from attaining SDG2, Zero hunger by 2030. In war and conflict, food production goes down while demand increases. In my last Editor's note, I recall expressing concern over hunger and the inability of humanity to progress towards meeting the 2030 zero hunger target. In that piece, I pointed out that I could not predict the world's direction as it was too early in the year. Here we are. I am sure food is rotting somewhere as people starve due to a sudden disruption in food distribution. How did we get here? Did we not see this coming? I have yet to see in the media pictures of the starving millions. But clearly this will soon become a really if quick action is not taken. So, what happens? I have always wondered when Africa will ever be able to feed herself. We used to be able to in the eighties or so. But I also recall those times where food security was not prioritized. A fast-growing population and a new appetite for foreign cuisine contributed to the food insecure situation we have at present. Africa, my own country of Kenya included, started to rely on imports. At the same time, we have relied on foreign aid to feed our most vulnerable citizens. I have over the years reported on how when we have drought, the country has to declare a national disaster to receive foreign aid. There was a time when Kenyans for Kenyans came out to manage a severe drought and floods, and proudly contributed. A lot was donated, adequately and in high spirits. A major challenge was how to manage perishable goods. A lot spoilt. I have not witnessed such passionate and compassionate response repeated. Collecting food, packaging, and distributing require technical skill. That is the kind of training our people need. Many times, we do not take advantage of available opportunities. The Great Horn of Africa always experiences crises, often culminating in food emergencies. Hunger and malnutrition follow. When I was young, attending primary school, I used to wonder who these very generous governments were that were donating food to us during hunger. I quickly learned that some countries were overproducing and even stored excess food at sea. They would then donate such food to friendly countries in dire need. But at what cost? The farmers growing that food in the donor countries had to be compensated, they sold such food to their governments to donate. It was all about food diplomacy. On my part, I would share my food at school with those children who did not have any. Food can be used to foster, revive, and maintain friendships. What a noble gesture this is! I also recall my own family sharing a lot during times of need to just ensure nobody starved. I knew that as the African thing to do. We have a target of zero hunger by 2030, which many have observed that humanity is veering away from. Hunger is terrible. Hunger is humiliating. But there are always the vulnerable, since time immemorial, who cannot feed themselves. The smallholder farmers I work with celebrate and are proud when they harvest well and can feed their families. The Right to Food, enshrined in international statutes, calls for governments to ensure an environment where everyone can access enough affordable, nutritious, safe, and culturally acceptable food. This way, citizens can maintain their dignity and a passion to contribute to family, community and country building. Hunger does not wait. You cut off food and people begin to starve. But with the media not sharing exactly what is happening out there, it is difficult for those concerned to act appropriately and timely. What do we do then? This is a wake-up call. There is absolutely no doubt about it: where food has been needed, "From the American People" has always been there. Even what the World Food Program uses mostly has come from the same source. Our African governments, what alternative measures are there? It is like we need urgent convenings to discuss a paradigm shift. How do we feed the vulnerable? Do we just sit back and hope that all will take care of itself? We have to do something.
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May 1, 2025
Linnea Apelman + 3
Just Published
Open Access