World Hunger to Top 1 Billion People

 
World hunger is projected to reach a historic high in 2009 with 1.02 billion people going hungry every day, according to new estimates published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

The most recent increase in hunger is not the consequence of poor global harvests but is caused by the world economic crisis, which has resulted in lower incomes and increased unemployment. This has reduced access to food by people who are poor, says the FAO.

“A dangerous mix of the global economic slowdown combined with stubbornly high food prices in many countries has pushed some 100 million more people than last year into chronic hunger and poverty,” said FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf. “The silent hunger crisis—affecting one-sixth of all of humanity—poses a serious risk for world peace and security. We urgently need to forge a broad consensus on the total and rapid eradication of hunger in the world and to take the necessary actions.”

“The present situation of world food insecurity cannot leave us indifferent,” he added.

Poor countries, Diouf stressed, “must be given the development, economic, and policy tools required to boost their agricultural production and productivity. Investment in agriculture must be increased, because for the majority of poor countries a healthy agricultural sector is essential to overcome poverty and hunger and is a prerequisite for overall economic growth.”

The Rev. Daniel Rift, director for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal, said the FAO report is a call to action for those who care for people living in poverty. Lutherans “are well positioned to respond to the call,” he said. “Seed banks, water projects, livestock sharing, small loans, and market assistance are hallmarks of our work.”

Of the 65 synod bishops of the ELCA, 59 signed a letter calling on members of the U.S. Congress to co-sponsor the Initiating Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 2009 (H.R. 2139). The bishops urged lawmakers to “support robust funding for foreign aid programs in the short-term to help meet the immediate needs of our brothers and sisters around the world, while supporting foreign aid reform in the long-term to ensure the highest possible efficacy of U.S. assistance in the future.”

The 2009 FAO hunger report, “The State of Food Insecurity in the World,” will be published in October. For the current report, visit www.fao.org.