800 million starve every year

Every year, eight hundred million people starve to death around the world, not through lack of food, nor through deficient production methods, but simply because they cannot afford to buy any, according to United Nations Organisation Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

Kofi Annan made his declaration at the opening ceremony of the Summit on Hunger in the World, in Rome on Tuesday. “For this reason,” he declared, “the time of truth has come. We cannot accept any more promises which we know will not be fulfilled”.

Every seven seconds, somewhere in the world, a child dies – of starvation, most of these in Africa. While Kofi Annan called for more concrete measures to be taken, Pope John Paul II sent a written message to the Summit, calling on every human being to participate in making the right to food a reality for all of the world’s inhabitants.

One problem facing charitable organisations is that of credibility. Many of these organisations are sound, serious and well-managed organisations whose aid indeed reaches those it is destined for. However, rogue agencies and unfounded rumours have done untold damage over the years. If donors use the more credible and reputable organisations, the chance of food reaching the starving is greatly increased.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY PRAVDA.Ru