WESTPORT, Conn., 10, October 2009 Although food
prices have dropped from last year’s record highs, fallout from the financial crisis is driving an increasing number of children into hunger, says Save the Children.“We’re
not seeing the number of food price protests we saw last year, but a deceptive calm masks the fact that more children than ever are confronting chronic hunger and severe malnutrition,” said
Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Secretary General of Save the Children.Save the Children is addressing increased cases of chronic and severe malnutrition around the world, while working to
strengthen parents’ long-term ability to support families. For the first time, more than 1 billion people are chronically hungry, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture
Organization. Although wealthy nations see signs of economic recovery, many low-income countries don’t — with food prices still historically high and the economic crisis
stifling investment and remittances. The World Bank estimates 89 million more people will fall into extreme poverty by the end of 2010. Severe weather patterns are also destroying
families’ crops and forcing them to sell assets.As poor families lose resources, a healthy diet for children quickly becomes out of reach. Food typically consumes 50 to 70
percent of poor families’ income, compared to 5 to 10 percent for U.S. families. When children — especially those under 2 — don’t get the nutrients they need,
they may suffer permanent damage to physical and intellectual growth. Malnutrition is also the underlying cause of 3 million child deaths each year. The lost potential of the next
generation undermines economic development in the countries that need it most.October 16 is World Food Day. Save the Children experts can discuss current food crises in Guatemala, East
Africa, and elsewhere, and the comprehensive strategy needed to address hunger worldwide. The agency calls on world leaders to quickly implement a promised US$22 billion global food security
initiative.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Children play on a basketball hoop inside an evacuation centre in Pasig City, Metro Manila October 14, 2009. The Philippines said on Tuesday it may resort to more borrowing to fund ...
