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Subject IndexMonday, November 23, 2009

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Global Hunger and Food Security

Description: Global Food Security banner shows woman working in field; produce; workers and visitors at market; crops; man working in field. © AP Images 
"The question is not whether we can end hunger, it's whether we will." — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

More than one billion people — one sixth of the world's population — suffer from chronic hunger. Without enough food, adults struggle to work and children struggle to learn. Global food supplies must increase by an estimated 50 percent to meet expected demand in the next 20 years. Advancing sustainable agricultural-led growth increases the availability of food, keeps food affordable, and raises the incomes of the poor.


Description: Map shows countries resized relative to undernourished population--where the undernourished live. Click to see larger image. Image courtesy of Worldmapper, 2009 View countries relative sizes to the undernourished populations.

Principles for Advancing Global Food Security

  1. Comprehensively address the underlying causes of hunger and under-nutrition
  2. Invest in country-led plans
  3. Strengthen strategic coordination
  4. Leverage the benefits of multilateral institutions
  5. Make sustained and accountable commitments

Global Action

Momentum is building for global action. Developing country leaders have recognized the need to invest in their own food security. At the 2009 L’Aquila G8 Summit, donors collectively committed $20 billion to agricultural development and a new approach to global food security.

U.S. Commitment

The U.S. is committed to working as part of a collaborative global effort centered around country-led processes to improve food security. We are working with stakeholders to advance action that addresses the needs of small scale farmers and agri-businesses, and harnesses the power of women to drive economic growth. We will increase our investment in agriculture development while maintaining our support for humanitarian food assistance. More

World Summit
World Summit on Food Security was held in Rome, Italy, Nov. 16-18, 2009. 

World Food Day
Secretary Clinton (Oct. 16): "On World Food Day, we join with others to reaffirm our commitment to work to combat one of today’s most critical issues—global hunger." Read Secretary Clinton's discussion with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on food security.

Events
A meeting of more than 130 countries and other stakeholders to address underlying causes of global hunger was co-hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. Secretary Clinton and Secretary General Ban have introduced a proposal titled "Partnering for Food Security: Moving Forward."

Call To Action
Act now and join us in combatting global hunger by taking these steps today:

--Tell us what you think. Read more about food security and email us what you think about our plans to confront this issue.

--Or send us comments anonymously using this form:

--Learn more about the U.S. plan to fight hunger.

--Watch our video and share it with your friends and family.

--Learn about what other organizations are doing to confront this crisis.

--Join us on Facebook and be a part of the discussion today.

--Join the fight against hunger – sign up to get updates on how you can be a part of the solution.

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