Two Cheers on World Food Day

Bread for the World
Monday, 16 October 2000

Numbers show hunger on the decline, but more could be done

WASHINGTON - For many people, world hunger seems an insurmountable problem, one too big and complex to solve.

This year on World Food Day, there is some good news about hunger. The Food and Agriculture Organization reports that in recent years the number of undernourished people in the world has declined by about 8 million each year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reported a slight decrease in hunger and food insecurity in the United States since 1995. Most of the recent decreases in hunger are due to economic growth.

Still, nearly 800 million people worldwide struggle with hunger. Even in the United States, the richest country in the world, 31 million people live in households that don't always have enough food. Churches and charitable groups have redoubled their efforts to assist hungry people and are still unable to meet the need.

"In today's economy, we could be achieving much more progress against hunger," said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. "The key is to get our government to do its part. Churches and charities can't do it all."

Congress could take a good step toward cutting world hunger by fully funding our portion of the international debt relief plan this year, said Beckmann. Debt relief would provide some of the world's poorest countries more resources for food, education and health care for the most vulnerable of their citizens. Congress could also help people in this country by increasing the minimum wage by $1 and passing the Hunger Relief Act.

"I can't think of a better way to celebrate World Food Day," Beckmann said.

Bread for the World is a 45,000 member Christian citizens' movement against hunger. Founded in 1974, Bread for the World's members lobby Congress and the administration to bring about public policy changes that address the root causes of hunger and poverty in the United States and overseas. Bread for the World is a nonpartisan organization supported by 45 denominations and many theological perspectives.

For more information, or to contact Bread for the World, see their website at: www.bread.org