The message of TeleFood - "Food for All" - reached more people than ever in 1998. TeleFood '97, the first year of the FAO campaign to increase public awareness of the problem of hunger in the world, reached more than 500 million people. TeleFood '98 spread this message even further.

Gala concert in Dakar is highlight of global TeleFood '98 programme...

On October 17, a stellar lineup of artists, including Youssou N'Dour, Coumba GawloSeck and Baaba Mal, came together on stage in Dakar for a celebration of song and dance. Millions of TeleFood supporters around the world were able to watch this musical extravaganza in their own homes thanks to the generous sponsorship of satellite companies Intelsat, Panamsat and NHK, who broadcast the event around the globe.

TeleFood events were held in over 60 countries around the world in 1998. Television programmes, soccer tournaments, auctions, seminars, art exhibitions and theatrical performances were some of the events that turned the spotlight on the problem of hunger. Many of these events also raised money, contributing to the TeleFood Fund. Over US$4 million was raised in the first two years alone.

Rural farmers, fisherfolk and herders benefit from the TeleFood Fund...

Hundreds of grassroots development projects are now under way in the world's poorest countries thanks to the generous donations made to TeleFood by people who wanted to make a contribution - however big or small - to the ongoing battle against hunger.

List of celebrity supporters grows as stars of world cinema climb aboard TeleFood bandwagon...

Acclaimed international singers Miriam Makeba and Cheb Khaled, and stars of world cinema, actors Sophia Loren and George Clooney and director Emir Kusturiça were some of the celebrities to join the list of TeleFood supporters in 1998.

Generous and enthusiastic sponsors contribute in large way to success of TeleFood...

A very generous group of sponsors were credited with much of the success of TeleFood '98. The enthusiasm and unflagging support of a wide variety of players, including government ministries, non-governmental organizations, private banks, radio and television stations and satellite companies, among others, allowed the TeleFood message to reach as many people as possible.

Every minute of every day, a dozen children under five die of hunger and malnutrition. Like the vast majority of the 800 million chronically undernourished people around the globe today, most of them live and die in rural areas of the developing world. In these areas, women play the leading role in ensuring that there is enough food for their families and their children. The theme of TeleFood '98 - "Women feed the world" - celebrated the role of women in the battle against hunger and appealed for global solidarity to help them overcome the obstacles they face and gain access to the resources they need to win that battle.