food crisis

Number of hungry people worldwide nears 1 billion mark, UN agency reports

9 December 2008
With 40 million people being pushed into hunger this year mostly due to soaring food prices, the number of undernourished people worldwide is approaching the 1 billion mark, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced today.

Plant-breeding technique using radiation could pull millions out of hunger – UN

2 December 2008
The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today called for stepped up investment in a nearly century-old technique using radiation to produce high-yielding plants to help the millions of people worldwide in the throes of hunger.

Bangladeshi poor to benefit from $130 million World Bank loan

30 October 2008
The World Bank has approved a $130 million loan to Bangladesh in response to the global food crisis which has crippled the ability of millions of the country’s poor to fend for themselves, the international financial institution announced today.
Special Rapporteur on Right to Food Olivier de Schutter

Nearly 1 billion people hungry worldwide, UN human rights expert says

27 October 2008
Propelled by this year’s global food crisis, nearly one billion people worldwide are now hungry, an independent United Nations expert said today, urging the issue to be viewed through the lens of human rights.
Former US President Bill Clinton and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (2nd right)

Top UN officials issue call for urgent action to help world’s hungry

23 October 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and General Assembly President Miguel D’Escoto appealed for swift measures to help the world’s poor who have been hit hardest during this time of financial, food and fuel crises, as United Nations Headquarters observed World Food Day today.
Josette Sheeran, WFP Executive Director

World Food Day reminder of daily crisis borne by millions, say UN officials

16 October 2008
As the eyes of the world continue to watch the ups and downs of global markets amid the current financial turmoil, United Nations officials are calling attention today to another global crisis – hunger – which affects millions daily and kills a child every six seconds.
FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf

Less aid to poor nations amid financial crunch will worsen food crisis, warns UN

15 October 2008
The head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has urged governments not to reduce aid to developing countries or introduce protectionist trade measures amid the current global financial crisis, warning that doing so might bring about another food crisis next year.
Jacques Diouf (R) and Dr Aalt Dijkhuizen at signing

UN, Dutch university partner to reach development goals

10 October 2008
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has joined forces with a Dutch university to promote education and research in developing countries to build momentum towards reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), eight ambitious anti-poverty targets with a 2015 deadline.

Alarming rise in malnourished due to food and fuel price crises – World Bank

9 October 2008
The number of malnourished people around the world is set to increase by 44 million to almost 1 billion by the end of 2008 due to the combined impact of the food and fuel price crises, according to a World Bank report.
John Holmes, USG for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

New ‘Green Revolution’ needed to combat hunger in Africa, UN relief chief says

1 October 2008
A new Green Revolution is urgently needed in Africa to curb the suffering of the most vulnerable people, according to the top United Nations relief official, who recently saw first-hand how the current dire food crisis is affecting Ethiopia.