This short sentence encapsulates the magnitude of hunger in the globe. Many people, especially children, go through their days hungry feeling while not having enough food to eat. Even after independence, many less fortunate families in India may not consume sufficient amounts of nutritious food and may struggle to obtain one-day meals.
India has been ranked 107 out of 121 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2022 with its child-wasting rate at 19.3 per cent, the highest in the world. The Global Hunger Index is a tool for comprehensively measuring and tracking hunger at global, regional, and national levels. With a score of 29.1, the level of hunger has been defined as ‘serious’. In Asia, Afghanistan with a rank of 109 is the only country behind India. Neighbouring countries like Pakistan (99), Bangladesh (84), Nepal (81), and Sri Lanka (64) have all fared better than India.
Child Wasting and Child Stunting are the key indicators used to assess the prevalence of Childhood malnutrition. A child is defined as ‘wasted’ if their weight is too low for their height. Wasting is often referred to as acute malnutrition and Stunting indicates that a child has failed to reach their growth potential as a result of disease, poor health and malnutrition.
Looking at the scenario, the United Nations (UN) launched the challenge of Zero Hunger in 2012. Zero Hunger is a sustainable development goal 2. Its vision reflects elements from within the sustainable goals (SDGs), which taken together, can end hunger, eliminate all forms of malnutrition, and build inclusive and sustainable food systems. This challenge has targeted 2030 to achieve the goal of 'Zero Hunger' quite literally.
Child Help Foundation along with its crowdfunding partner Filaantro stepped in to look at the situation of the underprivileged people sleeping on an empty stomach. Child Help Foundation started a project under the name Zero Hunger. This ongoing project aims to provide nutritious food to underprivileged children. Through the organisation’s initiative along with volunteers and partner NGOs, it provides warm meals to underprivileged children.
Through the Roti Ghar program, many children across the country are provided with free freshly cooked nutritious meals every day, this has helped many children to actively participate in school activities and lead a journey to have a successful life. Child Help Foundation also conducts awareness sessions for people living in tribal areas about nutritious meals, what has to be consumed and how it helps our bodies to stay fit.
To date, through the Zero Hunger program 20,01,457 underprivileged children and their families have been provided with nutritious food in different locations across India The team also provides daily meals to 1800 children across India. Thus helping the children to switch to a healthy life.
Child Help Foundation’s unwavering commitment to fighting hunger and empowering communities reflects the team’s belief in a better tomorrow. By working hand-in-hand with different partner organizations, schools, and governments, the organization is trying to create a future where no child goes to bed hungry.
You can also join in our journey of this noble cause as we strive to build a world where hunger is replaced with hope, nourishment and a brighter future for all.