ELCA World Hunger

1. How FAO defines malnutrition: A broad term for a range of conditions that hinder good health, caused by inadequate or unbalanced food intake or from poor absorption of food consumed. It refers to both undernutrition (food deprivation) and overnutrition (excessive food intake in relation to energy requirements). (FAO)

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2. More than one third of child deaths worldwide are attributed to undernutrition. (WHO)

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3. About 178 million children globally are stunted, resulting from not enough food, a vitamin- and mineral-poor diet, and disease. As growth slows down, brain development lags and stunted children learn poorly. (WHO)

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4. 16.7 million children a year experience food insecurity in the US. (USDA)

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5. 49.1 million people in the US experience hunger or the risk of hunger. (USDA)

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6. 31 countries suffer from food insecurity and require external assistance. (FAO)

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7. More than 1.02 billion people are undernourished worldwide.

Break down (2009 values):

• Sub-Saharan Africa: 265 million
• Asia and the Pacific: 642 million
• Latin America and the Caribbean: 53 million
• Near East and North Africa: 42 million
• Developed countries: 15 million (FAO)

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9. Globally, 884 million people lack access to safe drinking water sources. (JMP)

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10. The average distance walked by women in Africa in search of water is 3.7 miles per day. (FAO)

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