Hunger and PovertyHunger and Poverty

What is poverty?What is poverty?

Statistics – 2000 Airdrie average earnings: Statistics – 2000 Airdrie average earnings: $46,814$46,814 Many people in the world live on $1/dayMany people in the world live on $1/day

Relative or absolute povertyRelative or absolute poverty Relative – can you have a similar standard of Relative – can you have a similar standard of

living to those around you?living to those around you? Absolute – a set amount that is considered to Absolute – a set amount that is considered to

be povertybe poverty Canada: LICO (low income cut-off) takes both into Canada: LICO (low income cut-off) takes both into

consideration (size of city and family)consideration (size of city and family) 2004 LICO for 4 member family was $33,046, single 2004 LICO for 4 member family was $33,046, single

$17,784 for a community the size of Airdrie$17,784 for a community the size of Airdrie

Famine is a tragedy, not only because of the Famine is a tragedy, not only because of the intense suffering endured, but also because it is intense suffering endured, but also because it is unnecessary. Virtually all agricultural experts agree unnecessary. Virtually all agricultural experts agree that the Earth is capable of supporting even the that the Earth is capable of supporting even the growing population totals of the late 20growing population totals of the late 20thth Century. Century. The problem appears to be one of allocation. Many The problem appears to be one of allocation. Many people have more people have more than enough food, while others than enough food, while others have too little. This is true even within nations like have too little. This is true even within nations like the United States. Most of the African countries the United States. Most of the African countries which were stricken with famine during the early which were stricken with famine during the early 1980s actually produced enough grain to feed their 1980s actually produced enough grain to feed their populations. In Mexico, where 80% of the children populations. In Mexico, where 80% of the children in rural areas are undernourished, beef cattle in rural areas are undernourished, beef cattle consume more grain than the human population.consume more grain than the human population.

Why, then, is malnutrition so widespread? The simple answer is that, throughout the world, the people who are in need of food usually cannot afford to buy it. A factor which contributes to this situation is that landowners in less developed nations often find it more profitable to grow crops or to produce animals for markets in western nations than to grow the food which is needed locally. Moreover, they are often encouraged to produce these cash crops by their own governments. In less developed nations, the money which the government gains from the export of cash crops is needed to pay for imports of manufactured goods.

Where do we

stop the cycle?

Diseases related to Diseases related to malnutritionmalnutrition

Kwashiorkor – diet too high in starch; thin legs with Kwashiorkor – diet too high in starch; thin legs with pot belly; skin breaks down; becomes apatheticpot belly; skin breaks down; becomes apathetic

Marsmus – after attack of diarrhea (digestion Marsmus – after attack of diarrhea (digestion unable to handle food), skin becomes thin and unable to handle food), skin becomes thin and wrinkled, can lead to starvation if not treatedwrinkled, can lead to starvation if not treated

Keropthalmia – eye disease brought on by lack of Keropthalmia – eye disease brought on by lack of Vitamin AVitamin A

Scurvy – lack of vitamin CScurvy – lack of vitamin C

MSF – Flubby-nut MSF – Flubby-nut