BOB BRONSHOFF
“The frustrating thing is that hunger is not necessary” The Netherlands is making an effort to permanently help 32 million people out of a state of malnutrition, says Marriët Schuurman, director of Stabilization and Humanitarian Aid at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Text: Peter de Jong
What is the scale of worldwide famine?
“At this moment, about 811 million people are suffering from hunger – that’s 10 percent of the world’s population. And that number is rising. Climate change is a
major cause of this. Extreme droughts and floods are devastating to agriculture. The world’s 100 poorest countries account for only 3 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, while they suffer the most from climate change. Conflict unfortunately remains a second cause of hunger in developing countries.
People are being starved and driven out. Even aid convoys are being attacked. And don’t forget covid. People in developing countries also have to stay indoors because of the virus, even though they are much more likely to work in the fields to earn a living. And they don’t have support packages for distressed sectors there, like we do here. The frustrating thing is that hunger is not necessary. In principal, there is enough food for all the people in the world. Climate, conflict, disease... Humanity itself is the cause.” What will the Netherlands do about it?
“By 2030, we want to have permanently helped 32 million people out of a situation of malnutrition. We want to increase local resilience, so that the people there can develop themselves and build a dignified existence. The Zero Hunger Lab is helping us do that.” What is the added value of the ZHL?
“Their algorithms allow us to purchase and distribute food packages more efficiently. Of course, we prefer to buy from local markets so that the farmers also benefit. Thanks to the ZHL, there was a 20 percent cost reduction in Syria, which allowed us to help an additional 1 million people. The lab also takes a critical look at what goes into the emergency food basket, so that people receive a healthy diet that fits in with their customs. ZHL’s data is also very useful in predicting humanitarian crises. 20 percent of them are predictable, half are foreseeable. Providing aid earlier is more humane and cheaper, leaving more money for other projects. As far as I’m concerned, the ZHL’s data science will be shared on an even larger scale within the United Nations so that we can help even more people.” Special Zero Hunger Lab | New Scientist | 25
