The Problem of HungerThe Problem of HungerTypesTypes

CharacteristicsCharacteristicsCausesCausesTruthsTruths

Types of HungerTypes of Hunger

FamineFamine Chronic Persistent Hunger/under Chronic Persistent Hunger/under

nutritionnutrition MalnutritionMalnutrition MalabsorptionMalabsorption Seasonal UndernutritionSeasonal Undernutrition

Malnutrition/malabsorptionMalnutrition/malabsorption

Under-nutrition – lack of nutrients Under-nutrition – lack of nutrients needed for proper health; causing needed for proper health; causing constant illnessconstant illness

Malnutrition—not enough food, Malnutrition—not enough food, scarcity of foodscarcity of food

Malabsorption—not enough clean Malabsorption—not enough clean waterwater

Famine/ Chronic Persistent HungerFamine/ Chronic Persistent Hunger

Famine local, starving, sudden, Famine local, starving, sudden, sporadicsporadic

DisplacementDisplacement

Hunger is global, daily, seasonal, Hunger is global, daily, seasonal, invisible, people appear poor. People invisible, people appear poor. People lack sufficient calories or sufficient lack sufficient calories or sufficient vitamins and nutrientsvitamins and nutrients

Four characteristicsFour characteristics

Economic colonies (colonial past)—Economic colonies (colonial past)—wealthier nation colonized and wealthier nation colonized and “raped” resources“raped” resources

Population growth (distribution of Population growth (distribution of resources unbalanced)resources unbalanced)

Multinational corporation/single Multinational corporation/single exportexport

Political climate –oligarchies, Political climate –oligarchies, dictatorships, instabilitydictatorships, instability

CausesCauses

Drought, floods, weatherDrought, floods, weather WarWar Technology- industrializationTechnology- industrialization Unavailability of landUnavailability of land Over-consumption by wealthier Over-consumption by wealthier

nationsnations MilitarizationMilitarization Paradox of overpopulationParadox of overpopulation

Truths about hungerTruths about hunger

Adults can recover from starvation, Adults can recover from starvation, children are permanently damagedchildren are permanently damaged

Largely a matter of distribution, not Largely a matter of distribution, not resources or availability-enough food resources or availability-enough food exists.exists.

Hunger causes overpopulation, not Hunger causes overpopulation, not the other way around.the other way around.

Children are the main victims of Children are the main victims of hungerhunger

Scriptural truths about hungerScriptural truths about hunger

God’s plan for distribution of God’s plan for distribution of resources is that Creation is a gift for resources is that Creation is a gift for allall

The story of Joseph suggests that The story of Joseph suggests that even though nature can cause even though nature can cause hunger, social systems can overcome hunger, social systems can overcome this.this.

Scriptural truths about hungerScriptural truths about hunger

The Rich man and LazarusThe Rich man and Lazarus Jesus is the bread of life—Jesus is the bread of life—

emphasized shared mealsemphasized shared meals

Long-term Solutions (SA)Long-term Solutions (SA)

Change people’s attitudesChange people’s attitudes Land reformLand reform Shared economic powerShared economic power Reduced military spendingReduced military spending

The Eucharist demandsThe Eucharist demands

HospitalityHospitality NourishmentNourishment Unity-communion (solidarity)Unity-communion (solidarity) Breaking bread—sharing goodsBreaking bread—sharing goods