AFRICA - World Food Day: 923 million people, most of them in Africa, risk hunger.

Rome (Agenzia Fides)- Some 923 million people all over the world suffer from hunger, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation promoter of World Food Day marked today, 16 October.
About 90% of them (750 million) live in Africa and Asia. In 15 African countries hunger affects 35% of the population. The countries most exposed to rising prices of food and fuel are: Burundi, Central Africa, Guinea Bissau, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Outside Africa, the worst food situation is in North Korea and Haiti.
To guarantee food security and support the agriculture of countries in difficulty, at least 22 billion Euro are needed every year. In 2008 however the level of international food aid was the lowest in 40 years.
“Despite enthusiastic statements and financial commitments made by several countries, only a small part of the monies promised at the International Conference on the Food Emergency has been donated so far; about 10% of the 22 billion dollars ” said FAO director general in his report to open World Food Day.
The grave international financial crisis has worsened the situation, but it should not become an excuse for advanced countries to show less interest. “I realise that the international situation and financial crisis do not make our work any easier. The attention of the media is now focussed on the financial crisis at the expense of the food crisis, but this crisis still exists ” said Diouf.
Another factor which threatens the survival of whole populations is the emphasis on the production of bio-fuel at the expense of food for humans, causing prices of prime necessities to rise. Diouf is of the opinion that, due to increasing demand for bio-fuel in the coming decade the price of grain will rise by 5%, maize by 12% and that of vegetable oils by 15%. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 16/10/2008 righe 28 parole 348)