Workers across European Union member states may now face stricter regulations in handling hazardous chemicals, following the Commission's approval of a directive aimed at harmonizing national laws on chemical safety in the workplace.
Global Hunger Crisis Deepens Amidst Funding Cuts to Aid Agencies
A global increase in hunger has been attributed to significant funding cuts to major development aid providers, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
In 2024, the Welthungerhilfe, a prominent German non-governmental organization, assisted approximately 18.7 million people in 37 regions. However, the organization faced challenges as its funding decreased, with the BMZ budget reducing by 23 percent and that for humanitarian aid of the Federal Foreign Office by 29.9 percent during the coalition's term. Despite this, private donations to the Welthungerhilfe remained at a similar level to the previous year.
The cuts to foreign aid have undermined programs that help address immediate food needs and build long-term agricultural resilience. According to a study by The Lancet, the dissolution of USAID could cost more than 14 million lives by 2030, including 4.5 million children. In Africa and conflict-affected areas, the impact is particularly severe, with rising hunger rates and nearly 60% of those chronically undernourished projected to be in Africa by 2030.
To counter this issue, proposed solutions include restoring and increasing foreign aid budgets, investing in agricultural transformation and rural development, targeted humanitarian aid and crisis response, and international coordination and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, access to drinking water and food is becoming increasingly difficult. The fuel for the seawater desalination plant cannot be transported due to numerous blockades, and 25 kilograms of wheat currently cost about 500 dollars. Matthias Mogge, Secretary General of the Welthungerhilfe, highlighted the struggle of local aid workers in Gaza to feed themselves.
The Network for Tax Justice (NWSG) criticized the German Investment and Development Corporation (DEG) for using offshore financial centers in the Cayman Islands and Mauritius as a model for tax avoidance. The Left party is discussing a realignment of development policy, advocating for an intersectional, solidarity-based justice policy.
In summary, restoring and increasing foreign aid budgets, investing in agricultural transformation and rural development, targeted humanitarian aid and crisis response, and international coordination and multi-stakeholder partnerships are crucial to mitigating the rising global hunger trend. By prioritizing investments in both immediate relief and sustainable food systems, we can work towards a world where no one goes hungry.
References: [1] Welthungerhilfe (2024). Annual Report 2024. Retrieved from www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/annual-report-2024 [2] The Lancet (2024). The impact of a US withdrawal from global health and development assistance. Retrieved from www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01334-X/fulltext [3] United Nations (2024). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024. Retrieved from www.fao.org/state-of-food-security-nutrition/en/
Finance ministries' reductions in funding for aid agencies have significantly impacted business, politics, and general-news, as the ongoing global hunger crisis deepens due to these cuts. For instance, the Welthungerhilfe, a prominent German NGO, faced challenges in 2024 due to decreased funding, which contributed to the exacerbation of hunger and food insecurity in various regions, including Gaza.
To address this issue, solutions such as restoring and increasing foreign aid budgets, investing in agricultural transformation and rural development, targeted humanitarian aid, and international coordination are essential in the realm of finance and politics, aiming to create a sustainable food system that alleviates global hunger.
