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How many will go hungry on world food day?
World Food Programme (WFP)
October 16, 2003

Harare: Despite generous donations from the international community millions of people will still wake up today - World Food Day - hungry. In fact, the UN World Food Programme faces the highest global food aid needs in its 40-year history.

Among the people who will go hungry today are hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans, as a deteriorating economic situation, three consecutive years of very poor harvests and a catastrophic rate of HIV/AIDS infection continue to create huge food shortages in the country. Countless others across six southern African countries experiencing food shortages will receive less than what WFP has planned because of a funding shortfall.

This year, WFP needs more than US$4.3 billion to feed 110 million people across the globe. Needs for southern Africa alone are US$308 million, of which US$194.5 million is required for Zimbabwe. Contributions for the Zimbabwe operation fall short by US$117 million, or over 60 percent.

"It is simply unacceptable in this day and age that hunger and malnutrition remains the number one cause of death world wide," said James T. Morris, Executive Director of the World Food Programme. "Millions are counting on us to remind the world of their daily struggle, and the best way for them to be heard is for all of us to speak with one loud voice."

The theme for this year's World Food Day is the "International Alliance Against Hunger". World leaders pledged to halve the number of hungry people -- almost 800 million in the developing world -- by 2015. But progress towards that goal is hindered by historically low levels of investment in agricultural development.

"Clearly, no single organization can solve world hunger. Its causes are incredibly complex, and its solution requires more than food aid alone," said Morris. "All of us - individuals, businesses, non-governmental organizations and governments -- have a deep responsibility to join the campaign to end hunger."

HIV/AIDS continues to be both a result of and cause of food insecurity. The majority of those infected with the disease are between the ages of 15-49, the most productive years, and affected households suffer from decreased income and agricultural production. More than half of those infected are women, the people that ensuring that there is enough food for the family.

This year, WFP has broadened its alliance with a variety of partners - from the business sector, to well-known personalities and international sports figures. The joining of forces with partners like TPG, the Dutch mail and logistics giant, has boosted WFP's efforts to better reach the hungry in countries across the globe.

WFP has also teamed up with the Rugby World Cup 2003, which started last week in Australia. Through website tacklehinger.com and other venues, the issue of hunger will be conveyed to the Cup's 3.5 billion viewers. Musicians such as the famed songbird from Cape Verde, Cesaria Evora, has dedicated songs and record royalties for the hungry.

Partnerships with traditional allies - the NGO community, UN Agencies and governments - are stronger than ever. Working with the governments of the G8 and NEPAD, WFP plans to get 30 million African children who are not currently attending class into school.

And every day, more than 1,200 NGOs and a host of UN agencies work alongside WFP to help deliver food aid. In Zimbabwe, WFP's partner NGOs include Christian Care, ORAP, World Vision, Help from Germany, HelpAge, Lutheran Development Services, Care, Concern, Goal, ACF, Plan International and Save the Children UK. WFP also supports the relief work of many other organisations providing assistance to particularly vulnerable people, among them the Zimbabwe Red Cross, Mashambanzou Trust, Medair and CESVI.

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency. In 2002 WFP fed 72 million people in 82 countries including most of the world's refugees and internally displaced people.

WFP Global School Feeding Campaign -- As the largest provider of nutritious meals to poor school children, WFP has launched a global campaign aimed at ensuring the world's 300 million undernourished children are educated.

For more information please contact:
Makena Walker
15 Natal Road,
Belgravia
HARARE

Tel: (0)4-252471-3

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