ABC NEWS
UNICEF: Millions of Children Still Hungry

Developing World's Children Undernourished Despite International Efforts

By NICK WATT

May 2, 2206 - Despite several high-profile international initiatives, the number of children in the developing world who go hungry has barely fallen in the past years, the children's advocacy group UNICEF said today.

More than a quarter of the children in the developing world are still critically undernourished, according to a new report from the group. It also found 146 million children go hungry every day and 5.6 million kids die every year because they are not getting enough to eat - a figure that corresponds to 10 children every minute.

"The lack of progress to combat malnutrition is damaging children and nations", said UNICEF Executive Director Ann Veneman. "Few things have more impact than nutrition on a child's ability to survive, learn effectively and escape a life of poverty."

Children continue to die of hunger in huge numbers despite a worldwide drive to combat it. In 2000, the United Nations announced a series of "millennium development goals." One of the goals was to halve the number of people worldwide who suffer from not getting enough to eat. But the number of children who go hungry in the developing world has improved only slightly in 15 years. In 1990, 32 percent of kids in the developing world were undernourished; this year that figure is 27 percent.

Ignorance, War Make Matters Worse

Almost half of the world's underweight children live in just three countries - INDIA, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Apparently, the dire situation in South Asia is not caused by a shortage of food but by food that is low in quality and nutrients.

Social issues also contribute to the problem. In many places, women receive little education and don't know how to best feed and care for their kids...

Jesus said: "And if, as my representatives, you give even a cup of cold water to a little child, you will surely be rewarded." Matthew 10:42

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one" Mother Teresa

DO WHAT YOU CAN WITH WHAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW!

Thousands upon thousands of starfish had washed up on the shore. A little boy was throwing one after another back into the ocean. An older man saw the boy and yelled, "Can't you see what you are doing is not making a difference. There are too many starfish." The little boy just ignored him. Again the older man said, "Hey little boy, can't you see what you are doing is not making a difference. You are waisting your time." The little boy picked up another star fish and threw it into the water and answered, "It made a difference to that one!"

"He you saves a single life is as if one who saved the entire world." The Misnah

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