World hunger is not an unavoidable disease of our age: we can and we must act upon it

Gazipur - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), in partnership with BRAC, has officially launched the campaign for the 1 billion hungry project. The 1 billion hungry project is a global communication campaign initiated by FAO HQs.

This signature campaign offers a platform for people all around the world to join hands and speak with one voice to press the political leaders to move hunger to the top of the international political agenda.

The target of this campaign in Bangladesh is to achieve 100,000 signatures by World Food Day, 16 October this year.

“Achieving Food Security for all is at the hearth of FAO efforts, but we have to confront with the fact that still a great portion of the world population is undernourished, does not have access to enough food and of good quality” said Ad Spijkers, FAO Representative in Bangladesh.

The launching of the 1 billion hungry took place in Tepipara High School campus in Sreepur of Gazipur district.

“We have to put high priority for agriculture and food security and should urge the developed nations to put their efforts in support of the billion hungry” added Dr. Mahabub Hossain, BRAC Executive Director in his speech during the launching ceremony.

The event was attended by a large number of locals, mainly farmers. Half of the signatories were women, who also play a vital role in agriculture, and their support to the campaign puts stronger solidarity against hunger.

After the introductory notes from the organizers, a local community theatre company performed a play pointing out many of the aspects of rural life, and the importance of access to quality schemes of rural finance.

FAO engages in partnership with BRAC, government entities, and media personalities and partners in this signature campaign. “We join hand with those in our campaign whose work has changed the lives of many in this country through their relentless efforts to provide support to the most needed. The involvement and the commitment of civil society in this endeavor is crucial as it is from the hearth of society that changes can occur”, said Ad Spijkers.

FAO is engaged in several large initiatives in Bangladesh to enhance farmers’ access to high quality agricultural inputs and trainings. These initiatives build towards a master plan for the southern delta in Bangladesh, where FAO is taking the lead catalyzing financial and technical resources.

“About two-third of the whole food insecure population live in Asia and Bangladesh counts for a large proportion. The matter needs to be taken more seriously by our political leaders, who need to ensure that mechanisms are in place to tackle the multifactor causes that lead to these dramatic effects” added Ad Spijkers.

For further contacts, please refer to Patrizia Epifania, FAO Representation, Dhaka
Mobile phone: 0175 179 7652