Urgent action needed to meet targets for reducing world hunger

THIS week marks the 10th anniversary of the World Food Summit in 1996, when 185 countries pledged to halve world hunger by 2015.

Ten years on, member states of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) committee on world food security — together with civil society, the private sector, international institutions and other actors — are meeting in Rome to take stock of what progress has been achieved.

However, far from being an occasion to celebrate progress, the most recent data shows that world hunger levels have actually deteriorated since 1996.

Today, 852 million people are estimated to be food insecure, 50 million more than in 1996.

In Africa alone, more than over 200 million people are malnourished; an increase of more than 30 million people. Over the same period, aid directed towards agricultural development in Africa has decreased by 43%.

United Nations members have committed themselves to halving world hunger on numerous occasions over the past decade, but for the 852 million hungry, action is required urgently.

The European Food Security Group (a group of about 40 European NGOs) — which I chair — has made a number of proposals for action.

Among these is the demand that international responses to hunger crises, at the very minimum, are timely, adequate and appropriate to the needs of those affected, and are directed at mitigating the risk of disasters by increasing the capacity of people to manage when one strikes.

However, if we are to break free of the scandal of reoccurring food crises, then there needs to be serious long-term investment — by both developed and developing countries — in agriculture and rural development in the world’s poorest nations.

If the commitment of world leaders is to mean anything, then it has to be backed up by action.

Tom Arnold

Chief Executive

Concern Worldwide

52-55 Camden St

Dublin 2.