The document summarizes the effects of the global economic crisis on the global food system and human development. As food prices rise and aid decreases, more people are unable to access adequate food, leading to increased malnutrition, especially in young children. This malnutrition can cause long-term effects like poor physical and mental development as well as decreased educational and economic outcomes, which may increase global poverty in the future as more unskilled adults enter the labor market.

1. Global Food Crisis Economic Crisis Food prices increasing Less people able to access adequate food supplies INCREASING MALNUTRITION Decreased Aid from developed world Decreased NGO/non-profit financing Global Trade decreasing Unemployment (in developed and developing world) increasing Remittances decreasing Guest workers sent home or leaving due to diminishing employment opportunities Increased malnutrition and less help/assistance Increased malnutrition in 0-5 year old children Poor physical/ mental development Decreasing educational outcomes Decreased Human Capital Increasing population of unskilled, uneducated adults entering the labor market in 15 – 20 years FUTURE SURGE IN POVERTY Sara Hommel, Wolfensohn Center for Development, 2009