August 27, 2012

Top 10 worst places to eat

A new index ranks countries based on the affordability, availability, quality, and safety of food.

By James Addis, World Vision U.S.; and Lucy Murunga, World Vision Kenya

According to an index released by the Economist Intelligence Unit, the worst place to find something to eat is the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The top hungry countries

The index identifies the worst places in the world to find something to eat, as well as the best places.

The United States is ranked first among the best places to find food.

The index was compiled from statistics that measure the affordability, availability, quality, and safety of food in 105 countries. 

The 10 worst places to get food are:

*Indicates where World Vision is working to improve food security and address malnutrition.

Addressing hunger in the most-hungry countries

World Vision fights hunger around the globe with short-term emergency food aid and long-term agricultural solutions to help people feed their own communities. We also advocate for the hungry, speaking on their behalf.

We support large-scale actions to prevent malnutrition. This includes promoting agricultural production and marketing, supporting mother and child health and nutrition, prompting early warnings of food scarcities, and promoting infrastructure development for better food access.

For instance, in northeastern Burundi, many households are facing serious food deficits. Disappointing rains have led to poor harvests, driving the prices of food up and straining the purchasing power of families who are already struggling.

Families only get a meal a day, if they are lucky. Most of the time, families have to go to bed hungry.

In partnership with the World Food Program, World Vision implements school-feeding programs, where they serve rice fortified with iron and other micronutrients.

Children flock to schools that provide food. World Vision also implements school-feeding programs in Haiti, along with other programs to help meet long-term hunger needs.

Additionally, we continue to respond to drought in the West Africa region; we support agricultural programs in South Sudan; and we are responding to a food emergency in Malawi, where more than 1.6 million people are coping with serious food shortages. 

Two ways you can help

Pray for children and families who struggle to find food to eat. Pray that their nutritionl needs would be met and that they would gain access to the tools and resources they need for long-term solutions to hunger.

Make a one-time gift to help provide life-saving food and care. Your gift will help provide food, agricultural support, livestock, clean water, medicines, and other essential care to hungry children and families around the world.