Why the World Can't Solve Famine Despite Massive Food Waste

Walking through the streets of Aden, Yemen, at the height of the war in 2018 was a haunting experience. Gaunt faces and feeble bodies stared back at me, many missing a limb - chilling vestiges of what war does to innocent people. Markets overflowed with food, but instead of being consumed, the scorching sun withered the produce. It was simply out of reach for most who could not afford it. Just a mile away, a tiny hospital was filled with the heartbreaking cries of starving babies and weeping mothers who did not know what to do. You can try to help some. But you can’t save everyone. It’s a gut punch that never quite goes away.

Yemen is hardly an anomaly.

The stark contrast between global famine and rampant food waste is both startling and perplexing. Every day, millions of people face chronic hunger and malnutrition, while at the same time, vast quantities of food are discarded without a second thought.

So, why is the issue so persistent? Let’s explore.