Examining Extreme Poverty and Food Insecurity with Zeeshan and Karina Hayat
Approximately 8% of the world’s population — roughly 700 million people — live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $2.15 a day. While this stark reality reveals significant inequality, it is important to note that the situation has improved over time. Over the past three decades, the number of people in extreme poverty has decreased from 1.8 billion to 600 million. Despite this progress, the fight to completely eliminate extreme poverty is far from over. While there is no universal solution, understanding its causes is essential.
Let’s explore 11 factors contributing to global poverty, with an emphasis on why the cycle is so difficult to break and how we can work toward solutions.
1. Structural Inequality
Inequality doesn’t just refer to unequal wealth distribution; it’s a deeper, systemic problem that excludes entire groups from decision-making processes that affect their lives. Whether it’s gender-based disparities, social stratification through caste systems, or racial and ethnic discrimination, marginalized communities often face systemic barriers to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
2. Global Food Shortages
Food shortages are a frequent occurrence in vulnerable regions, particularly during pre-harvest seasons. War zones often see farmlands destroyed, leaving communities unable to produce their own food. Families depend on the previous year’s crop, but with no new harvest in sight, they are forced to skip meals. The war in Ukraine has also exacerbated food shortages by disrupting global supply chains, leaving millions without access to essential food supplies. Addressing food insecurity solutions in conflict zones and other affected regions is vital to tackling the root causes of hunger.
3. Climate Change and Extreme Weather
Climate change is a powerful driver of hunger, with extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and storms disrupting agriculture. Small-scale farmers in low-income countries are especially at risk, as changing weather patterns make it harder to predict and plan for harvests. The World Bank has warned that climate change could push over 100 million people into extreme poverty, exacerbating hunger in already vulnerable regions.
4. The Scourge of Food Waste
Globally, one-third of the food produced is wasted, with 1 billion tons of food never being consumed each year. This waste not only contributes to hunger but also strains natural resources, as producing this food requires vast amounts of water, energy, and land. Reducing food waste would have a significant impact on reducing hunger while also helping to combat the environmental impacts of food production. Food insecurity solutions must include strategies for cutting down on waste and ensuring that food reaches those who need it most.
Initiatives like 100 Meals a Week showcase the impact of community-driven support by providing immediate relief through food and essential donations. While NGOs like these ensure vital resources reach those in need—reducing waste and supporting environmental sustainability—lasting change depends on addressing the underlying causes of poverty worldwide.
5. Inadequate Healthcare Systems
Poor healthcare infrastructure is both a cause and consequence of poverty. Lack of access to basic health services, including maternal care, causes unnecessary deaths and illness. In regions with poor healthcare systems, preventable diseases claim lives, and families are forced to spend what little they have on medical expenses, further pushing them into poverty.
6. Education Deficits
A lack of education keeps individuals bound to poverty. Illiteracy and low educational attainment limit job opportunities and the chance to improve one’s quality of life. While education is often touted as a way out of poverty, significant barriers — from school fees to cultural biases against girls’ education — prevent many from gaining the skills they need to thrive. In fact, if every child completed primary education, it could reduce global poverty by 20%.
7. Infrastructure Gaps
Without adequate infrastructure, people in rural areas face isolation and limited access to basic services. Poor roads, unreliable electricity, and a lack of communication networks limit opportunities for education, healthcare, and work. The absence of infrastructure, especially in remote areas, hinders economic growth and perpetuates poverty.
9. Government and Institutional Weaknesses
Without effective government support, people in poverty have no safety net. In many countries, weak governance and corruption hinder the ability to provide essential services such as healthcare, education, and social protection programs. Governments that fail to address the causes of poverty can exacerbate the problems and leave vulnerable populations without the resources they need to escape extreme poverty.
10. Unemployment and Underemployment
A lack of sustainable employment opportunities traps people in poverty. In many regions, traditional livelihoods such as farming or fishing are no longer viable due to climate change, overexploitation of resources, or conflict. Without access to stable work or fair wages, families remain in poverty, unable to break free from the cycle of economic deprivation.
11. Absence of Safety Net
Extreme poverty is often exacerbated by a lack of reserves. Without financial safety nets, such as savings or insurance, families living in poverty have few resources to fall back on during times of crisis. A family might cope with a temporary setback by borrowing money or selling off assets, but repeated shocks — such as illness, a crop failure, or a natural disaster — can drain their resources, pushing them deeper into poverty.
Conclusion
Poverty is a global challenge rooted in structural, environmental, and economic issues, yet both large-scale policy changes and community initiatives can make a meaningful impact. Programs like 100 Meals a Week, founded by Zeeshan and Karina Hayat, offer a small but crucial layer of security to those facing food insecurity, providing a safety net that helps individuals navigate difficult times with dignity.
To make a direct difference, consider supporting 100 Meals a Week. Your donation or volunteer time provides essential items and hope to those in need. Visit www.100mealsaweek.com or email [email protected] to learn how you can help. Together, we can create a world where fewer people live in poverty and everyone has access to basic necessities and opportunities, including food insecurity solutions that help break the cycle of hunger and deprivation.