WFP lauds government commitment to fight hunger
By Julius N. Uma
October 15, 2010 (JUBA) – As millions of people gather to commemorate world food day this October 16, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) – the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger globally has underscore the leadership and contributions made by national governments towards lasting solutions to hunger and malnutrition.
According to Sisulu, WFP’s continued partnership with various governments, local authorities and small-scale farmers will help roll out innovative programmes that boost nutrition, and build sustainable solutions to hunger.
In Sudan, WFP recently provided financial assistance earmarked for provision of meals in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria state schools.
WFP has also teamed up with government ministries; where close to 70 percent of their activities are being implemented in the central and eastern regions of the country as a strong example of a country-led hunger solution.
WFP, together with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), is fully committed to supporting the southern governments in making food security top priority.
“WFP and the Government of Sudan are working closely together to provide more sustainable solutions, helping people to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. Many regions in Sudan still require very high levels of food assistance and WFP will continue to cooperate with the Government, donors and other partners to fight hunger and build a better future for the people of Sudan,” Vernon Archibald, WFP’s Deputy Regional Director said in a statement on October 15.
Based on the theme, “United Against Hunger”, this year’s world food day seeks to recognise efforts made in the fight against hunger at national, regional and international levels.
In a related development, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Olivier De Schutter, has backed citizens worldwide who are demanding a fundamental shift in food and agricultural research to make them more democratic and accountable to society.
De Schutter outlined his support in the foreword to a multimedia publication that the International Institute for Environment and Development will launch on October 16.
The publication presents the findings of 2010 citizens’ juries, at which farmers, pastoralists, food processors and consumers from Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Benin heard evidence from expert witnesses and made recommendations about the future of agricultural research and its governance.
The jurors, according to an October 15 communiqué, called for direct involvement in the design and implementation of agricultural research, with focus on improving the productivity of local crop varieties and farming practices such as seed sharing.
“The democratization of agricultural research is a vital for those who seek to make the human right to adequate food a reality,” De Schutter said in the communiqué.
(ST)