Although the rate of world population growth is slowing, hunger is increasing because of migration, war, drought and flooding. We are His hands. We are commissioned to care. We can't turn our eyes away from human suffering. The general problem of hunger is not going away, particularly in the developing world, according to JoAnn Butrin, director of HealthCare Ministries, the worldwide medical arm of Assemblies of God Foreign Missions.
Hunger is a component in more than half of the deaths of the world's children.
Those who survive may be left physically and mentally impaired or perpetually subject to illness. The hunger crisis is complex, says Butrin. Lack of food leads to poor health. Poor health necessitates increased income for health care, which further drains family resources. Malnutrition makes people more prone to illness.