Africa has become the continent with the highest number of people suffering from hunger, according to the UN's latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 report. Nearly 309 million Africans, or 20% of the continent's population, are facing undernourishment despite a slight improvement in hunger rates.

The report highlights that 66.6% of Africans cannot afford a healthy diet, more than double the level recorded in Asia. Climate change, armed conflicts, economic hardship, rising food prices, and the impact of the Iran conflict on energy and fertilizer costs have worsened food insecurity across the continent.

Africa becomes world's hunger epicentre | 309 Million face food crisis | UN report 2026

Africa has become the continent with the highest number of people suffering from hunger, according to the UN's latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 report. Nearly 309 million Africans, or 20% of the continent's population, are facing undernourishment despite a slight improvement in hunger rates.

The report highlights that 66.6% of Africans cannot afford a healthy diet, more than double the level recorded in Asia. Climate change, armed conflicts, economic hardship, rising food prices, and the impact of the Iran conflict on energy and fertilizer costs have worsened food insecurity across the continent.


Rising global temperatures are fuelling a global hunger crisis. International agencies worldwide have continued to sound an alarm over surges in food insecurity, that are plunging millions of people into extreme hunger, malnutrition and threats to their overall health.

Climate change causing world hunger

About 735 million people worldwide faced chronic hunger in 2022, a figure much higher than before the pandemic and which threatens progress towards a global goal to end hunger by 2030, the United Nations said. Take a look.

World off-track to meet 2030 goal of ending hunger: UN

As UK is struggling with political instability. The economic instability is also becoming increasingly worrying for average households.

Millions of people marching towards starvation as UK's cost of living crisis deepens

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has launched its report on the state of the world fisheries and aquaculture at the Oceans Conference in Lisbon. They found that the production of wild farm-raised fish, shellfish and algae had reached like record levels in 2020 and the future increases could be vital to fighting world hunger.

WION Climate Tracker- Record levels of Aquatic food farming

<p>Twitter on Monday (April 25) confirmed that it is selling the micro-blogging platform to the world's richest person Elon Musk in a stunning deal valued at $44 billion. How many zeroes does $44 billion have? Nevermind!&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the deal. the publicly traded firm will now become a private company owned by Musk. Apart from this, Musk's efforts have raised hopes about the commercial potential of the micro-blogging platform.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement after the deal was finalised, Tesla and SpaceX CEO said that free speech is the "bedrock of a functioning democracy". He further added that Twitter is the "digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ever wondered what else could have been done with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/twitter-confirms-sale-of-company-to-elon-musk-for-44-bn-473837">$44 billion</a>?&nbsp;</p>

<p>Twitter is one of the most popular social media platforms and millions of people use it. When the news broke, Twitterati reacted with jokes, memes and suggestions.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-musks-twitter-deal-whats-next-for-ceo-parag-agrawal-473891">After Musk's Twitter deal, what's next for CEO Parag Agrawal?</a></strong></p>

<p>Among other users, Umar Saif, who is a Pakistani computer scientist and academic, also commented. He rather insinuated that the money used to buy Twitter could have helped Sri Lanka amid the economic crisis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a tweet, Saif, who also serves&nbsp;as an advisor to the United Nations Development Programme in Pakistan, wrote, "Elon Musk just bought Twitter for $43 billion."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"For a slightly larger amount, he could have also saved Sri Lanka's international default on its debt of $45 billion. Such is the power of big wealth. Focus on that startup you have been dreaming about," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The European Commission has said that it was too early to comment on the deal&nbsp;but recalled that the bloc's digital services rules apply to all major platforms.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/elon-musk-buys-twitter-here-are-other-biggest-ever-tech-acquisitions-so-far-473886">Elon Musk buys Twitter, here are other biggest-ever tech acquisitions so far</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Elon Musk just bought Twitter for $43 billion.<br />
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For a slightly larger amount, he could have also saved Sri Lanka's international default on its debt of $45 billion.<br />
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Such is the power of big wealth. Focus on that startup you have been dreaming about …</p>
— Umar Saif (@umarsaif) <a href="https://twitter.com/umarsaif/status/1518671314445344769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>What else could have been done?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Such an amount could help in solving world hunger. For instance, in a detailed plan, United Nations' World Food Programme noted that Musk could support 42 million people facing famine by giving them one meal per person per day for a year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per The Verge report, the cost of that plan was apparently, $6.6 billion. The report also mentioned that the billionaire had donated $5.7 billion to charity in November.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Elon Musk acquires social media giant, will Twitter get an 'edit' button now?</strong></p>

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<p>Musk could have bought a media house to support journalism, similar to what Jeff Bezos did when he spent $250 million to buy The Washington Post. Laurene Powell Jobs spent around $100 million and owns a majority stake in The Atlantic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Such an amount could help economies that have been battered by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The amount can facilitate planning for future pandemics.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The amount would&nbsp;help underdeveloped nations to provide citizens with basic amenities like food, clean water, proper sanitation, etc.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Twitter on Monday (April 25) confirmed that it is selling the micro-blogging platform to the world's richest person Elon Musk in a stunning deal valued at $44 billion.

Twitter on Monday (April 25) confirmed that it is selling the micro-blogging platform to the world's richest person Elon Musk in a stunning deal valued at $44 billion. How many zeroes does $44 billion have? Nevermind! After the deal. the publicly traded firm will now become a private company owned by Musk. Apart from this, Musk's efforts have raised hopes about the commercial potential of the micro-blogging platform. In a statement after the deal was finalised, Tesla and SpaceX CEO said that free speech is the "bedrock of a functioning democracy". He further added that Twitter is the "digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated". Ever wondered what else could have been done with $44 billion? Twitter is one of the most popular social media platforms and millions of people use it. When the news broke, Twitterati reacted with jokes, memes and suggestions. ALSO READ | After Musk's Twitter deal, what's next for CEO Parag Agrawal? Among other users, Umar Saif, who is a Pakistani computer scientist and academic, also commented. He rather insinuated that the money used to buy Twitter could have helped Sri Lanka amid the economic crisis. In a tweet, Saif, who also serves as an advisor to the United Nations Development Programme in Pakistan, wrote, "Elon Musk just bought Twitter for $43 billion." "For a slightly larger amount, he could have also saved Sri Lanka's international default on its debt of $45 billion. Such is the power of big wealth. Focus on that startup you have been dreaming about," he added. The European Commission has said that it was too early to comment on the deal but recalled that the bloc's digital services rules apply to all major platforms. IN PICS | Elon Musk buys Twitter, here are other biggest-ever tech acquisitions so far Elon Musk just bought Twitter for $43 billion. For a slightly larger amount, he could have also saved Sri Lanka's international default on its debt of $45 billion. Such is the power of big wealth. Focus on that startup you have been dreaming about … — Umar Saif (@umarsaif) April 25, 2022 × What else could have been done? Such an amount could help in solving world hunger. For instance, in a detailed plan, United Nations' World Food Programme noted that Musk could support 42 million people facing famine by giving them one meal per person per day for a year. As per The Verge report, the cost of that plan was apparently, $6.6 billion. The report also mentioned that the billionaire had donated $5.7 billion to charity in November. WATCH | Elon Musk acquires social media giant, will Twitter get an 'edit' button now? × Musk could have bought a media house to support journalism, similar to what Jeff Bezos did when he spent $250 million to buy The Washington Post. Laurene Powell Jobs spent around $100 million and owns a majority stake in The Atlantic. Such an amount could help economies that have been battered by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The amount can facilitate planning for future pandemics. The amount would help underdeveloped nations to provide citizens with basic amenities like food, clean water, proper sanitation, etc. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Elon Musk buys Twitter: What else could have been done with a mind-boggling amount of $44 billion?

Remember Elon Musk said he is ready to sell his Tesla shares if the World Food Programme can show him how they would use $6 billion to solve world hunger? WFP has now come up with a detailed plan. Palki Sharma asks- Will Musk now keep his side of the bargain?

Gravitas: Will Elon Musk sell Tesla shares to solve World hunger?

<p>In response to a Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s query for a $6.6 billion plan to combat world hunger, the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) director has finally responded. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Musk had earlier claimed that he would sell his stock in Tesla to fund a plan if the WFP can describe "exactly how" it would work. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Taking on the billionaire, the director has laid out a robust plan. &nbsp;UN food programme director David Beasley, who is also a former Republican governor of South Carolina, tweeted a link to a 1,000-word "executive summary" on Monday. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-facebook-founder-zuckerberg-tries-to-feel-objects-in-virtual-reality-with-haptic-glove-vr-headset-430192" hreflang="en">Watch: Facebook founder Zuckerberg tries to feel objects in virtual reality with haptic glove, VR headset &nbsp;</a></strong></p>

<p>The document shows how the UN would deploy $6.6 billion worth of meals and vouchers to feed over 40 million people in 43 countries, who are "on the brink of famine" to avert a looming "catastrophe". &nbsp;</p>

<p>In the document, Beasley posted that the WFP proposes to dedicate $3.5 billion to buy and deliver food directly, $2 billion "for cash and food vouchers (including transaction fees) in places where markets can function," and spend another $700 million to manage new food programmes that are "adapted to the in-country" conditions and ensure "the assistance reaches the most vulnerable." &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jp-morgan-sues-tesla-ceo-elon-musk-for-his-flagrantly-ignorant-tweets-430032" hreflang="en">JP Morgan sues Tesla CEO Elon Musk for his 'flagrantly' ignorant tweets</a></strong></p>

<p>And another $400 million would be spent in "operations management, administration and accountability" and supply chain coordination. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"You asked for a clear plan and open books. Here it is! We're ready to talk with you - and anyone else - who is serious about saving lives," said Beasley. &nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


In response to a Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s query for a $6.6 billion plan to combat world hunger, the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) director has finally responded.

In response to a Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s query for a $6.6 billion plan to combat world hunger, the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) director has finally responded. Musk had earlier claimed that he would sell his stock in Tesla to fund a plan if the WFP can describe "exactly how" it would work. Taking on the billionaire, the director has laid out a robust plan. UN food programme director David Beasley, who is also a former Republican governor of South Carolina, tweeted a link to a 1,000-word "executive summary" on Monday. Also Read: Watch: Facebook founder Zuckerberg tries to feel objects in virtual reality with haptic glove, VR headset The document shows how the UN would deploy $6.6 billion worth of meals and vouchers to feed over 40 million people in 43 countries, who are "on the brink of famine" to avert a looming "catastrophe". In the document, Beasley posted that the WFP proposes to dedicate $3.5 billion to buy and deliver food directly, $2 billion "for cash and food vouchers (including transaction fees) in places where markets can function," and spend another $700 million to manage new food programmes that are "adapted to the in-country" conditions and ensure "the assistance reaches the most vulnerable." Also Read: JP Morgan sues Tesla CEO Elon Musk for his 'flagrantly' ignorant tweets And another $400 million would be spent in "operations management, administration and accountability" and supply chain coordination. "You asked for a clear plan and open books. Here it is! We're ready to talk with you - and anyone else - who is serious about saving lives," said Beasley. (With inputs from agencies)

UNWFP director lays out $6.6-billion plan for Tesla CEO Elon Musk to combat world hunger

<p>Twitter war between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and World Food Programme (WFP) chief David Beasley does not seem to end. WFP chief has now said that he is ready to meet the billionaire on 'Earth or space' in order to show him how a one-time contribution from Musk may prove to be decisive in alleviating global hunger.</p>

<p>Musk and Beasley have been trading tweets on this issue for past few days. In his latest tweet, Beasley appears to have nudged Musk by saying 'Instead of tweets' they could meet in person and discuss the issue.</p>

<p>"Instead of tweets, allow me to show you. We can meet anywhere—Earth or space—but I suggest in the field where you can see @WFP’s people, processes and yes, technology, at work. I will bring the plan, and open books," Beasley tweeted.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/on-a-roll-hertzs-100000-vehicle-order-helps-tesla-elon-musk-scale-new-heights-424106">On a roll: Hertz’s 100,000-vehicle order helps Tesla, Elon Musk scale new heights</a></strong></p>

<p>The Twitter feud has been going on since October 31 when Elon Musk, based on a headline in CNN Business tweeted that if USD 6 billion could solve world hunger, he was ready to sell Tesla shares and donate the amount to UN food agency. However, he appeared pointed in his Twitter by asking WFP to explain how USD 6 billion would solve world hunger.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> Instead of tweets, allow me to show you. We can meet anywhere—Earth or space—but I suggest in the field where you can see <a href="https://twitter.com/WFP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WFP</a>’s people, processes and yes, technology, at work. I will bring the plan, and open books.</p>
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<p>In next two tweets, WFP chief appeared to explain his side by calling the CNN headline 'not accurate'.</p>

<p>"Headline not accurate. $6B will not solve world hunger, but it WILL prevent geopolitical instability, mass migration and save 42 million people on the brink of starvation. An unprecedented crisis and a perfect storm due to Covid/conflict/climate crises," he tweted.</p>

<p>"With your help we can bring hope, build stability and change the future. Let’s talk: It isn’t as complicated as Falcon Heavy, but too much at stake to not at least have a conversation. I can be on the next flight to you. Throw me out if you don’t like what you hear!" he said in the next tweet.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/tesla-reports-record-profits-amid-production-surge-422745">Tesla reports record profits amid production surge</a></strong></p>

<p>On this, Musk requested Beasley to publish WFP spendings in order to "see exactly where money goes" to which the WFP chief responded indicating his readiness to meet Musk on Earth or in space.</p>

<p>All eyes are on the next chapter of this Twitter war.</p>


Twitter war between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and World Food Programme (WFP) chief David Beasley does not seem to end. WFP chief has now said that he is ready to meet the billionaire on 'Earth or space' in order to show him how a one-time contribution from Musk may prove to be decisive in alleviating global hunger.

Twitter war between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and World Food Programme (WFP) chief David Beasley does not seem to end. WFP chief has now said that he is ready to meet the billionaire on 'Earth or space' in order to show him how a one-time contribution from Musk may prove to be decisive in alleviating global hunger. Musk and Beasley have been trading tweets on this issue for past few days. In his latest tweet, Beasley appears to have nudged Musk by saying 'Instead of tweets' they could meet in person and discuss the issue. "Instead of tweets, allow me to show you. We can meet anywhere—Earth or space—but I suggest in the field where you can see @WFP’s people, processes and yes, technology, at work. I will bring the plan, and open books," Beasley tweeted. Also Read | On a roll: Hertz’s 100,000-vehicle order helps Tesla, Elon Musk scale new heights The Twitter feud has been going on since October 31 when Elon Musk, based on a headline in CNN Business tweeted that if USD 6 billion could solve world hunger, he was ready to sell Tesla shares and donate the amount to UN food agency. However, he appeared pointed in his Twitter by asking WFP to explain how USD 6 billion would solve world hunger. .@elonmusk Instead of tweets, allow me to show you. We can meet anywhere—Earth or space—but I suggest in the field where you can see @WFP’s people, processes and yes, technology, at work. I will bring the plan, and open books. — David Beasley (@WFPChief) November 1, 2021 × In next two tweets, WFP chief appeared to explain his side by calling the CNN headline 'not accurate'. "Headline not accurate. $6B will not solve world hunger, but it WILL prevent geopolitical instability, mass migration and save 42 million people on the brink of starvation. An unprecedented crisis and a perfect storm due to Covid/conflict/climate crises," he tweted. "With your help we can bring hope, build stability and change the future. Let’s talk: It isn’t as complicated as Falcon Heavy, but too much at stake to not at least have a conversation. I can be on the next flight to you. Throw me out if you don’t like what you hear!" he said in the next tweet. Also Read | Tesla reports record profits amid production surge On this, Musk requested Beasley to publish WFP spendings in order to "see exactly where money goes" to which the WFP chief responded indicating his readiness to meet Musk on Earth or in space. All eyes are on the next chapter of this Twitter war.

Meet me on Earth or in space: WFP chief fires new tweet at Elon Musk

<p>Almost one million people are facing severe hunger in northern Mozambique where hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee a jihadist insurgency, the UN&nbsp;food agency said on Tuesday.</p>

<p>"As the security situation continues to deteriorate, more than 950,000 people in the north of Mozambique are now facing severe hunger," Tomson Phiri, a spokesman for the World Food Programme, told a briefing in Geneva.</p>

<p>Islamic State-linked militants have escalated attacks in Mozambique's northernmost province Cabo Delgado in the past year, murdering villagers, fighting the army and seizing towns.</p>


Almost one million people are facing severe hunger in northern Mozambique where hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee a jihadist insurgency, the UN food agency said on Tuesday.

Almost one million people are facing severe hunger in northern Mozambique where hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee a jihadist insurgency, the UN food agency said on Tuesday. "As the security situation continues to deteriorate, more than 950,000 people in the north of Mozambique are now facing severe hunger," Tomson Phiri, a spokesman for the World Food Programme, told a briefing in Geneva. Islamic State-linked militants have escalated attacks in Mozambique's northernmost province Cabo Delgado in the past year, murdering villagers, fighting the army and seizing towns.

UN food agency says nearly 1 million going hungry in Mozambique

<p>A record 27.3 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo are facing acute hunger, one-third of the violence-wracked central African country's population, two UN agencies warned on Tuesday.<br />
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The DRC is "home to the highest number of people in urgent need of food security assistance in the world," the World Food Programme and the Food and Agricultural Organization said in a joint statement, describing the scale of the crisis as "staggering."<br />
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They said one in three people -- a record high -- are now critically hungry in a country that has immense natural wealth, including vast deposits of diamonds.<br />
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"Conflict remains a key cause of hunger with large swathes of the conflict-affected eastern provinces of Ituri, North and South Kivu and Tanganyika, as well as the central region of Kasais, the scene of recent conflict, the worst hit," the statement said.<br />
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The Covid-19 pandemic and an economic downturn have also contributed to the crisis, it added.<br />
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The agencies said some families have been surviving by eating only taro, a tuber that grows wild, or only cassava leaves boiled in water.<br />
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"This country should be able to feed its population and export a surplus," said Peter Musoko, WFP's country representative. "We cannot have children going to bed hungry and families skipping meals for an entire day."<br />
<br />
The WFP said it needed $662 million this year to avoid plunging millions of people in desperate need of aid further into hunger.<br />
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The most affected populations, it said, are mainly more than 5.2 million displaced people, alongside refugees from the Central African Republic and female-headed households.<br />
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"Added to this are the poorest populations in urban and peri-urban areas and those living in landlocked areas with low purchasing power and access to food through markets," the statement said.<br />
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More than 100 armed groups roam eastern Democratic of Congo, many of them a legacy of wars in the 1990s that sucked in countries from around central Africa.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


A record 27.3 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo are facing acute hunger, one-third of the violence-wracked central African country's population, two UN agencies warned on Tuesday.

A record 27.3 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo are facing acute hunger, one-third of the violence-wracked central African country's population, two UN agencies warned on Tuesday. The DRC is "home to the highest number of people in urgent need of food security assistance in the world," the World Food Programme and the Food and Agricultural Organization said in a joint statement, describing the scale of the crisis as "staggering." They said one in three people -- a record high -- are now critically hungry in a country that has immense natural wealth, including vast deposits of diamonds. "Conflict remains a key cause of hunger with large swathes of the conflict-affected eastern provinces of Ituri, North and South Kivu and Tanganyika, as well as the central region of Kasais, the scene of recent conflict, the worst hit," the statement said. The Covid-19 pandemic and an economic downturn have also contributed to the crisis, it added. The agencies said some families have been surviving by eating only taro, a tuber that grows wild, or only cassava leaves boiled in water. "This country should be able to feed its population and export a surplus," said Peter Musoko, WFP's country representative. "We cannot have children going to bed hungry and families skipping meals for an entire day." The WFP said it needed $662 million this year to avoid plunging millions of people in desperate need of aid further into hunger. The most affected populations, it said, are mainly more than 5.2 million displaced people, alongside refugees from the Central African Republic and female-headed households. "Added to this are the poorest populations in urban and peri-urban areas and those living in landlocked areas with low purchasing power and access to food through markets," the statement said. More than 100 armed groups roam eastern Democratic of Congo, many of them a legacy of wars in the 1990s that sucked in countries from around central Africa.

One in three people critically hungry in DR Congo, says UN

<p dir="ltr">Chandra Shekhar Kundu from north Indian state West Bengal couldn&rsquo;t sleep one night when he saw two kids scavenging for food in a trash can. They looked malnourished and seemed desperate to find anything to eat. Shekhar was out that night, throwing trash after celebrating his son&rsquo;s birthday. He went back home looking for anything to give them but had no luck. He then tried to chance upon any eatery that might be open but came back disheartened.</p>

<p>That night, Chandra Shekhar Kundu, a computer science teacher at&nbsp;an engineering college did not sleep at all as he &ldquo;couldn&rsquo;t get their image out of (his) head. It stuck&rdquo;.</p>

<p>According to a recent report published by the UN&rsquo;s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), one-third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year, approximately 1.3 billion tonnes, gets lost or wasted. This, when The Hunger Project reports, roughly one in nine people in the world do not have enough to eat.</p>

<p><strong>Less Food or Wastage</strong></p>

<p>The world statistics indicate that hunger as a global problem does not majorly arise due to a shortage of food&nbsp;if at all it does, but because of mismanagement and imbalances in storage facilities, lack&nbsp;of access and a problem with our collective conscience.</p>

<p>&ldquo;My conscience, it&nbsp;is what didn&rsquo;t let me sleep that night&rdquo;, says Chandra Shekhar Kundu.</p>

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<h5>My conscience, it&nbsp;is what didn&rsquo;t let me sleep that night.</h5>
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<p>After that fateful night, Shekhar went back to college and with the help of some of his students made a documentary on food wastage. The film helped raise awareness in college and thus led to a reduced food wastage in the college canteen. It was his first victory.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Shekhar then started an organisation called Food Education and Economic Development (FEED) in 2016 to procure and provide food to the underprivileged and hungry kids in his area under Save Food, Save Life initiative. Shekhar along with a group of 135 students, teachers and social activists have tied up with hostels and mess facilities of Police and CISF barracks. He says, &ldquo;We get our stock of food from these barracks, their hostel and canteens. We are able to feed 100 children daily with this food that would have otherwise been wasted. Also, if anyone has leftover food then they call us on the helpline number and we go collect it. This food, I mention, is always fresh and not stale ever.&rdquo;</p>

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<p>Children in West Bengal happy after getting a free meal from FEED (WION)</p>
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<p>One-third food produced every year is wasted. A kid here in the picture enjoying his food given by volunteers of FEED. (WION)</p>
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<p>His initiative is now also recognised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations where he discusses ways to improve upon his work. He, however, feels that the government is not very proactive in its approach to reducing&nbsp;food wastage. He adds, &ldquo;I wrote to the President of India about how this wastage should stop but there was no campaign, no reply till three months. But the State government was much more supportive.&rdquo;</p>

<p><strong>A Mere Topic of Discussion?</strong></p>

<p>Discussed regularly at world forums now, food wastage as an issue has taken the shape of an intellectual and&nbsp;politicised discourse.</p>

<p>Recognised institutes undertaking the job of studying the problems of food wastage report that the wastage happens at every level and in different ways globally. In developed countries of the Western world, consumers contribute to food wastage in high amounts while in lesser developed and developing countries like India, it happens at the retailer stage where prepared food is being sold.</p>

<p>Shekhar adds, &ldquo;When I started, I went around asking for leftover food of the day from various hotels and restaurants but I didn&rsquo;t get a positive response. They just wouldn&#39;t agree to give; their major concern would be &lsquo;what if someone falls sick after he or she eats, then who will take the responsibility?&rsquo; It was very tough to convince them that we would deliver the food within one hour&rsquo;s time.&quot;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>Hotels wouldn&#39;t give leftover food--their major concern would be &lsquo;what if someone falls sick after eating, then who will take the responsibility?&rsquo;</h5>
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<p>So, in practice, these major retail eatery joints are happy throwing away the leftover food but not give it to those who need. That is where we, as a society, have failed.</p>

<p>While Chandra Shekhar Kundu continues to serve the underprivileged children in his vicinity with food and has recently opened a kindergarten school to educate those who can&rsquo;t afford, there is Islamic Relief Foundation which started a campaign called #GiftAMeal to feed the poor and underprivileged on the occasion of Ramadan, irrespective of their caste, creed or religion.</p>

<p>The campaign in India sourced its food from large restaurant chains like Nazeer Foods, Saleem&rsquo;s, Al Bake, Karim&rsquo;s and Hotel River View once a week for for a month. Thus, during the holy month of fasting, the organisation was able to feed poor people belonging to slum clusters, <em>raiin baseras</em> and homeless who sleep on the streets of Delhi and around the National Capital Region.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Islamic Relief Foundation volunteers distribute food packets to a slum kid (WION)</p>
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<p>People of a slum in Delhi get together to receive their free meal from Islamic Relief Foundation volunteers (WION)</p>
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<p>With an aim of feeding 5000 people in one month, Akmal Shareef, Islamic Relief India&rsquo;s Head of Mission for India and Nepal says, &ldquo;The smiles on people&#39;s face when they get this Ramadan special food is the satisfaction that keeps us going. It is encouraging to see so many restaurants coming together with Islamic Relief India to feed the poor and homeless of Delhi during the month of giving of Ramadan.&rdquo;</p>

<p>While most hotel chains and restaurants often shy off from contributing their surplus food to the needy, more&nbsp;number of hospitality chains are adopting this in an organised manner. A prominent hotel chain Manager* says, &ldquo;The hospitality sector is evolving and is now progressively incorporating elimination of food wastage as part of its CSR practices. It not only improves brand awareness and loyalty of customers but also makes the company feel good about itself.&rdquo;</p>

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<p>It has been seen that brand support for cause-related social issues helps create novelty for reputable hotels and restaurants. Donating of food for big chains is a matter of doing good business which involuntarily becomes a means of tackling with food waste.</p>

<p><strong>The Other Side</strong></p>

<p>But this isn&rsquo;t enough.</p>

<p>A study conducted by Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata in 2016 revealed that only 10 per cent of food&nbsp;gets cold storage facility in India. This, when accompanied by inappropriate supply chain management, results in India wasting food both at pre and post-harvest. &nbsp;</p>

<p>India ranks 63 among 88 countries in Global Hunger Index with 20 crore Indians sleeping hungry on any given night, but in spite of this, nearly 21 million tonnes of wheat are wasted in India each year instead of reaching the needy.</p>

<p>India is not unique to food wastage but it needs to learn a lot from the world countries in tackling with hunger. In February 2016, the French national assembly voted to ban supermarkets from throwing unsold food that had not spoiled. Some restaurants in Germany ask people to pay extra if they do not finish the food on their plate. Scotland was able to reduce food wastage in restaurants by providing them with doggy bags so they could get leftover food packed and some even give an option of changing portion sizes. Wonder what we are waiting for?</p>

<p>* Name of person and hotel chain withheld upon request for anonymity</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


While Indians go hungry, nearly 21 million tonnes of wheat are wasted in India each year instead of reaching the needy

Chandra Shekhar Kundu from north Indian state West Bengal couldn’t sleep one night when he saw two kids scavenging for food in a trash can. They looked malnourished and seemed desperate to find anything to eat. Shekhar was out that night, throwing trash after celebrating his son’s birthday. He went back home looking for anything to give them but had no luck. He then tried to chance upon any eatery that might be open but came back disheartened. That night, Chandra Shekhar Kundu, a computer science teacher at an engineering college did not sleep at all as he “couldn’t get their image out of (his) head. It stuck”. According to a recent report published by the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), one-third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year, approximately 1.3 billion tonnes, gets lost or wasted. This, when The Hunger Project reports, roughly one in nine people in the world do not have enough to eat. Less Food or Wastage The world statistics indicate that hunger as a global problem does not majorly arise due to a shortage of food if at all it does, but because of mismanagement and imbalances in storage facilities, lack of access and a problem with our collective conscience. “My conscience, it is what didn’t let me sleep that night”, says Chandra Shekhar Kundu. My conscience, it is what didn’t let me sleep that night. × After that fateful night, Shekhar went back to college and with the help of some of his students made a documentary on food wastage. The film helped raise awareness in college and thus led to a reduced food wastage in the college canteen. It was his first victory. Shekhar then started an organisation called Food Education and Economic Development (FEED) in 2016 to procure and provide food to the underprivileged and hungry kids in his area under Save Food, Save Life initiative. Shekhar along with a group of 135 students, teachers and social activists have tied up with hostels and mess facilities of Police and CISF barracks. He says, “We get our stock of food from these barracks, their hostel and canteens. We are able to feed 100 children daily with this food that would have otherwise been wasted. Also, if anyone has leftover food then they call us on the helpline number and we go collect it. This food, I mention, is always fresh and not stale ever.” Children in West Bengal happy after getting a free meal from FEED (WION) × One-third food produced every year is wasted. A kid here in the picture enjoying his food given by volunteers of FEED. (WION) × His initiative is now also recognised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations where he discusses ways to improve upon his work. He, however, feels that the government is not very proactive in its approach to reducing food wastage. He adds, “I wrote to the President of India about how this wastage should stop but there was no campaign, no reply till three months. But the State government was much more supportive.” A Mere Topic of Discussion? Discussed regularly at world forums now, food wastage as an issue has taken the shape of an intellectual and politicised discourse. Recognised institutes undertaking the job of studying the problems of food wastage report that the wastage happens at every level and in different ways globally. In developed countries of the Western world, consumers contribute to food wastage in high amounts while in lesser developed and developing countries like India, it happens at the retailer stage where prepared food is being sold. Shekhar adds, “When I started, I went around asking for leftover food of the day from various hotels and restaurants but I didn’t get a positive response. They just wouldn't agree to give; their major concern would be ‘what if someone falls sick after he or she eats, then who will take the responsibility?’ It was very tough to convince them that we would deliver the food within one hour’s time." Hotels wouldn't give leftover food--their major concern would be ‘what if someone falls sick after eating, then who will take the responsibility?’ × So, in practice, these major retail eatery joints are happy throwing away the leftover food but not give it to those who need. That is where we, as a society, have failed. While Chandra Shekhar Kundu continues to serve the underprivileged children in his vicinity with food and has recently opened a kindergarten school to educate those who can’t afford, there is Islamic Relief Foundation which started a campaign called #GiftAMeal to feed the poor and underprivileged on the occasion of Ramadan, irrespective of their caste, creed or religion. The campaign in India sourced its food from large restaurant chains like Nazeer Foods, Saleem’s, Al Bake, Karim’s and Hotel River View once a week for for a month. Thus, during the holy month of fasting, the organisation was able to feed poor people belonging to slum clusters, raiin baseras and homeless who sleep on the streets of Delhi and around the National Capital Region. Islamic Relief Foundation volunteers distribute food packets to a slum kid (WION) × People of a slum in Delhi get together to receive their free meal from Islamic Relief Foundation volunteers (WION) × With an aim of feeding 5000 people in one month, Akmal Shareef, Islamic Relief India’s Head of Mission for India and Nepal says, “The smiles on people's face when they get this Ramadan special food is the satisfaction that keeps us going. It is encouraging to see so many restaurants coming together with Islamic Relief India to feed the poor and homeless of Delhi during the month of giving of Ramadan.” While most hotel chains and restaurants often shy off from contributing their surplus food to the needy, more number of hospitality chains are adopting this in an organised manner. A prominent hotel chain Manager* says, “The hospitality sector is evolving and is now progressively incorporating elimination of food wastage as part of its CSR practices. It not only improves brand awareness and loyalty of customers but also makes the company feel good about itself.” Hotels now adopt elimination of food wastage as part of their CSR practices, as it improves their brand awareness and loyalty of customers. × It has been seen that brand support for cause-related social issues helps create novelty for reputable hotels and restaurants. Donating of food for big chains is a matter of doing good business which involuntarily becomes a means of tackling with food waste. The Other Side But this isn’t enough. A study conducted by Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata in 2016 revealed that only 10 per cent of food gets cold storage facility in India. This, when accompanied by inappropriate supply chain management, results in India wasting food both at pre and post-harvest. India ranks 63 among 88 countries in Global Hunger Index with 20 crore Indians sleeping hungry on any given night, but in spite of this, nearly 21 million tonnes of wheat are wasted in India each year instead of reaching the needy. India is not unique to food wastage but it needs to learn a lot from the world countries in tackling with hunger. In February 2016, the French national assembly voted to ban supermarkets from throwing unsold food that had not spoiled. Some restaurants in Germany ask people to pay extra if they do not finish the food on their plate. Scotland was able to reduce food wastage in restaurants by providing them with doggy bags so they could get leftover food packed and some even give an option of changing portion sizes. Wonder what we are waiting for? * Name of person and hotel chain withheld upon request for anonymity (WION)

Children's Day: No child should go to bed hungry

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