One dirham can make a world of difference to the hungry

Some 500 million people live below the poverty line and more than 3 million children die from hunger every year. Every five seconds a child under five dies because of hunger.

Hunger is the number one cause of death in the world, killing more than HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined. The cost of one B-2 stealth bomber ($2 billion) is more than enough to feed one meal to all hungry people in world for a year.

World leaders are trying to conquer space, digitalise the world and are buying more weapons to make their countries safe without considering the basic needs of people like food and water. The tragedy of our world is that we focus more on destruction. Love and other noble emotions are ignored in our race to become mightier than others.

Countries blessed with plenty have a moral obligation to assist those afflicted by poverty, famine, disease and war. Being generous to the needy will only increase our wealth and happiness. We can change lives of millions with just one dirham. You must be wondering what can one dirham buy in poorer countries? Try donating one dirham per person. This is how it works. If a family comprises a father, mother and two kids, it makes it four dirhams. Nationality, caste, creed, profession or position in life we are from does not matter in our duty to feed the hungry.

According to the former president of South Africa, the late Nelson Mandela, “Eradication of poverty is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.” Let’s do our bit. One dirham can make a world of difference to people in need. — The writer is a business manager based in Dubai