By IANS,
London : World hunger is estimated to reach an unprecedented high in 2009 with 1,020 million people going hungry every day, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
FAO said that the recent increase in hunger has been caused by the world economic crisis that has resulted in lower incomes and increased unemployment. This has reduced access to food for the poor.
“A dangerous mix of the global economic slowdown combined with stubbornly high food prices in many countries has pushed some 100 million more people than last year into chronic hunger and poverty” said FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf Saturday.
He added that “The silent hunger crisis – affecting one sixth of all humanity – poses a serious risk for world peace and security. We urgently need to forge a broad consensus on the total and rapid eradication of hunger in the world and to take the necessary actions.”
“The present situation of world food insecurity cannot leave us indifferent,” he warned.
“The rapid march of urgent hunger continues to unleash an enormous humanitarian crisis. The world must pull together to ensure emergency needs are met as long term solutions are advanced,” said Josette Sheernan, Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme.