798 million people are chronically hungry in the Developing World (FAO, 2003).
In 2002 67 million people were experiencing severe food shortages and required international food aid (FAO, 2003).

Over 2 billion people suffer from micronutrient malnutrition, often called 'hidden hunger'. Evidence suggests that in developing countries 50% of women and school age children suffer from iron deficiency anaemia, as do more than 40% of non-pregnant women and preschool children. Some 100-250 million are affected by severe iron deficiency. (HTF, 2003).

HIV/ AIDS is the most extreme health crisis in the world today and has correctly been termed 'a history changing event' (Barrett & Whiteside, 2002).

An estimated 42 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS, of which 95 per cent are from developing countries and 75% in sub-Saharan Africa (HTF, 2003).