Hunger in Southeast Asia – System-wide Solutions Needed

By Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies
S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)
Singapore

Hunger is rarely just a result of a lack of food. It is an underlying symptom. A symptom of systematic insecurities and social inequalities that result in
limited access to sustenance and nutrition. World Hunger Day, which falls on May 28, aims to spread awareness on the causes of hunger and emphasises sustainable solutions to eradicate global hunger and poverty. Chronic hunger and food insecurity are a result of, among other factors, unstable regimes as evidenced by the famines in South Sudan and Somalia. They can also compromise the stability of nations as seen in the current Venezuelan case. It should be clear to world leaders that aside from military prowess, national security is tied to establishing the various facets of human security including ensuring the availability of and access to food.