LETTER: Canadians unaware of global hunger crisis that looms over us

As a member of Canadian Youth, it is difficult for me to conceive how the global community will meet its commitments to eradicating hunger by 2030 when many Canadians remain unaware of the worsening and unprecedented global hunger crisis that continues to loom over us.

Despite a decade of declining world hunger, since 2017 the rates have rapidly increased with 783 million people facing chronic hunger today.

This rise can be attributed to a combination of the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict, climate shocks, and economic shocks that continue to leave starvation in its wake and necessitate continued funding towards extensive transformative efforts on global food policy and action.

With approximately 45 million children under 5 being affected by the most life-threatening form of malnutrition (wasting) each dollar spent on reducing chronic under nutrition has the power to provide a [conservative] estimate of $30 in economic returns.

The Canadian government has continued to state its position as a champion of global health; thus it is imperative that it maintains its commitment to increase its International Assistance Envelope (IAE) every year. Amid the many ongoing global crisis, I implore readers to recognize the children around the world who remain vulnerable to hunger and its related impacts.

Further still, I implore us all to be vocal in this recognition and encourage the government to follow through in its global health commitments. #ReachEveryChild.

Saron Teferra

Burlington