Around 413 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa live in extreme poverty with a daily earning of $1.90. This is the part in South Africa that experiences the most child hunger crisis. Following Asia, Africa is countered as the second-largest continent with issues dealing with undernourishment and malnutrition in children.
Reports further suggest that around 27% of children under the age of 5 in South Africa either don’t get their daily nutrition or go hungry due to lack of food. Although the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has introduced different ways to boost the country’s economy to eradicate the child hunger crisis, there is a lot of time before things pan out the right way.
When asked, around 61% of South Africans expressed a lack of confidence in the President’s plan, suggesting that it would take years to introduce lifelong changes. This is where organizations like Feed the Children are stepping up to help reduce the crisis gradually.
What Contributes to the South African Child Hunger Crisis?
Before discussing the ways to deal with the crisis, let us highlight the causes first.
Covid-19 Pandemic
In a nation that already has a heightened rate of extreme poverty, the pandemic has further impacted family incomes. South Africa initially implemented one of the strictest lockdowns due to the spread of the virus, which led to severe impacts on the economy. Non-essential workplaces were shut down and incomes drastically reduced, leading to further child hunger crises.
Environmental Factors
Another reason behind the rising crisis is drought. This has imposed an alarming impact on the country’s agriculture and food production. The drought reduced the production of basic food staples like grains and wheat, leading to spiked prices and reduced accessibility.
Farm Attacks
Even with the government intervening and condemning these violent crimes, farm attacks have become prevalent in South Africa. The invasions either damage the crops or result in poor growth, further contributing to the hunger crisis.
How to Address and Eradicate Hunger Crisis in South Africa?
The immediate impact of the child hunger crisis in South Africa is acute malnutrition. Organizations are coming forward to help treat such conditions and improve a child’s quality of life.
Besides that, more and more global agencies and organizations like Feed the Children are introducing food security and livelihood programs to empower the underprivileged and vulnerable communities in the country.
There are also multiple cash transfers and cash programs that help families get money to buy food for the month to feed their families. These emergency food stamps also support the local stores that have experienced reduced sales due to the pandemic.
At this point, the only constructive way to help these starving children in South Africa is to introduce rapid convergence of science and political policies to address the rising risks and ensure that no children go to sleep hungry. One in every four South African children is hungry and malnourished is a matter of nationwide concern.
The impact of hunger leaves lasting impacts on the body and mind of the children struggling with the issue. Not only do they have no access to healthy food, it inadvertently affects their education as well, leading to a vicious cycle of no growth.
Final Words
It is high time to implement immediate help for the children in South Africa who struggle to get food and the nourishment they have the right to. If you have the means, privilege, or platform, use it to advocate for those who can’t. No child should have to worry about their next meal, and it is time that changes in South Africa.
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