Meyers, William H.

(First Quarter 2003)

Having progressed by only 20 million in the first few years of efforts to reduce the number of hungry by 410 million persons, the global community has a huge uphill battle to lift an additional 390 million out of hunger by 2015 in addition to the number of hungry added each year by population growth. These figures are consistent with related measures of poverty, health and mortality status, so fine-tuning the estimates would not change the picture. The world hunger situation is so dismal despite a world of plentiful food supplies and despite all the declarations and commitments made in various world summits on food and on poverty. Declarations and commitments without concerted action will not solve the problem. It is what happens after these declarations that could make a difference. This paper discusses means, costs and benefits of addressing the world hunger dilemma. The remedy lies in reaching greater consensus on the actions and resources needed for faster progress and fostering political will among those who could make a difference.