Asia

On 6 May 2016 in Yemen, a baby is screened for malnutrition at the UNICEF- supported Al-Jomhouri Hospital in Sa’ada. Photo: UNICEF/UN026928/Al-Zekri
On 6 May 2016 in Yemen, a baby is screened for malnutrition at the UNICEF- supported Al-Jomhouri Hospital in Sa’ada. Photo: UNICEF/UN026928/Al-Zekri

Threat of famine looms in Yemen

by Tharanga Yakupitiyage Inter Press Service January 14, 2017

Millions of Yemenis could soon face widespread famine if no action is taken to improve food access through humanitarian or trade means, an early warning system has said. Up to eight million Yemenis are severely food insecure while another 2 million are facing food insecurity at emergency levels, jus...

Kundhavi Kadiresan, Assistant Director-General and FAO’s Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific addresses a conference in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Asia has halved hunger rates in the past quarter century, but because of westernized lifestyles, obesity is skyrocketing and people aren’t getting enough vitamins and minerals, according to a new UN report. (Photo: Dake Kang/AP)

UN says dairy a potential ally in Asian nutrition challenges

by Dake Kang The Associated Press December 27, 2016

In a recent report, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization said that even as Asia makes clear strides in taming hunger and famine, the rapidly modernizing continent needs to focus more on diversifying diet, with milk having the potential to help....

A young boy on a farm in Afghanistan Photo: Cpl. Jeffrey Scarmazzi/US Marine Corps

Is the Hunger Challenge in Asia-Pacific Going Unnoticed?

by Meha Pumbay The Diplomat December 27, 2016

The FAO recently published a report about the Asia-Pacific region’s troubles in achieving zero hunger by 2030, a Sustainable Development Goal. Hunger has increased in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Pumbay explores these countries....

Indian villagers queuing outside a bank as they waited to deposit and exchange 500 and 1,000 rupee notes in Hanuman Ganj village on the outskirts of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Photo: Sanjay Kanojia/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Indian villagers queuing outside a bank as they waited to deposit and exchange 500 and 1,000 rupee notes in Hanuman Ganj village on the outskirts of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.  Photo: ©  Sanjay Kanojia/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Indians rush frantically to launder their black money

by Geeta Anand New York Times November 28, 2016

MUMBAI, India — Indians’ ingenuity is being mightily tested as they rush to save their “black money,” stashes of hundreds of thousands, even millions, of rupees they have accumulated without paying taxes. "...

The Indian 1000 rupee note that must be exchanged for new currency. Photo: Government of India
The Indian 1000 rupee note that must be exchanged for new currency.  Photo: Government of India

How Narenda Modi of India plans to wipe out black market money

by Geeta Anand New York Times November 28, 2016

In one of the most audacious experiments in India’s modern history, Prime Minister ...

Ginni Mahi at her home with a Punjabi folk instrument called a “thumbi.” Photo: Rama Lakshmi/The Washington Post
Ginni Mahi at her home with a Punjabi folk instrument called a “thumbi.” A new song, Danger Chamar, flaunting her caste pride has become something of an anthem for many young people in India’s marginalized lower caste communities. Photo: Rama Lakshmi/The Washington Post

Lower caste Indian singer embraces centuries-old slur. Caste pride is driving her success.

by Rita Lakshimi Washington Post October 9, 2016

JALANDHAR, India — For centuries in India, the hateful slur was hurled at the lower caste community of leather tanners, regarded as “untouchables.” Now the younger generation in the community is embracing the word: “chamar.” See full story at ...

A dam along the Cauvery river. Photo: Thangaraj Kumaravel
A dam along the Cauvery river. When drought occurs there is not enough river water for all who use it, leading to disputes.  This picture of the Grand Anaicut dam in Tamil Nadu state was taken in 2012, when water levels were higher.  Photo:   © Thangaraj Kumaravel

Why water war has broken out in India’s Silicon Valley

by T.S. Sudhir BBC September 15, 2016

Violence has broken out in India's technology hub Bangalore in Karnataka state over a long-running dispute about water. Protesters are angry at a Supreme Court ruling ordering Karnataka to share water from the Cauvery river with neighboring Tamil Nadu....

Photo: © Farid Ahmed/IRIN
A farmer inspects his flood-damaged rice crop in Manikanj District.  Farmers who’ve lost crops are unable to pay back loans, but must borrow more to prepare for the next growing season. Government assistance is totally inadequate to address the problem.  Photo: ©  Farid Ahmed/IRIN (Click to see larger photo.)

Bangladeshi farmers drown in debt as floods destroy crops

by Farid Ahmed IRIN September 10, 2016

Months of flooding have wiped out entire villages and crops in Bangladesh, pushing farmers deeper into a cycle of debt that they can’t escape without more government help. About 4.2 million people have been affected by flooding in at least 19 districts since July, according to the government and a...

A dried up well in the drought-stricken village of Barnapur​. Photo: Caritas
A dried up well in the drought-stricken village of Barnapur. Photo: Caritas

Drought migrants flee to India’s cities

by Neeta Lal IRIN News June 28, 2016

After fleeing drought in Andhra Pradesh State, Manikamma’s tiny shack in India’s capital, New Delhi, is now periodically swamped with fetid water when heavy rains flood the shantytown she now calls home....

Photo: Reuters/Punit Paranjpe

Investing to nourish India’s cities

by Andrea Durkin The Chicago Council on Global Affairs June 16, 2016

More than 400 million people live in India’s cities—more than the entire population of the United States. Increasing urban employment and rising incomes portend significant growth for India’s $360 billion food market. But the food system in India must transform to feed its growing cities, say...

  • World Hunger Education
    Service
    P.O. Box 29015
    Washington, D.C. 20017
  • For the past 40 years, since its founding in 1976, the mission of World Hunger Education Service is to undertake programs, including Hunger Notes, that
    • Educate the general public and target groups about the extent and causes of hunger and malnutrition in the United States and the world
    • Advance comprehension which integrates ethical, religious, social, economic, political, and scientific perspectives on the world food problem
    • Facilitate communication and networking among those who are working for solutions
    • Promote individual and collective commitments to sustainable hunger solutions.