Nutrition and health

Poverty in the 21st century is an indication that while there have been developments around the world, there still exists a very vulnerable population that do not have something as basic as food and water. There are many ways to solve the problem of poverty, but the truth is that those who have that ability do not necessarily trust the integrity and the world of the poor. With a critical look it is obvious that the poor exist everywhere in the world. I have heard many stories of people living check to check with the fear that without the next check, they can be on the streets. Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed shows how this struggle plays out in America.

Liyan's presentation of RUTF showcased an important innovation that can help in the struggle against poverty. Of course, a "treatment" like RUTF comes with many challenges, the first being its acceptance as a way to treat children. another is the possibility of abuse, though I don't exactly see how much of a problem that would pose to society. If the millions of children that are malnourished around the world right now, had access to treatments like RUTF, that would be a start. Of course the only problem would be the need to sustain them on regular food and good nutrition, which is the problem in the first place. I guess treatments like RUTF will only be beneficial when governments and societies have worked out a way to provide proper nutrition and food to the starving and poor.

It is unclear whose responsibility it is to keep the poor alive and nourished. It is however clear that the world cannot celebrate her achievements if she does not take care of her most vulnerable.