[Scpg] A hunger scandal: 1 in 6 people hungry every day

[LBUZZELL at aol.com]

Dear Friends, 

 (http://www.avaaz.org/en/world_hunger_pledges/?cl=367548827&v=4458) The 
economic crisis has poverty and hunger skyrocketing in  poor countries. World 
leaders meeting in Rome next week are in danger  of backing out on a $20 
billion pledge to fund life-saving food  production -- sign the petition 
calling on them to keep their promise:  

 (http://www.avaaz.org/en/world_hunger_pledges/?cl=367548827&v=4458) 

1 in 6 people  worldwide go hungry everyday. With the recent financial 
crisis, poverty is  skyrocketing, but our governments are failing to take 
significant  action.

In a few days, leaders meet at the World Food Summit in  Rome to tackle 
this growing crisis. The best solution is funding to boost  sustainable 
agriculture in poorer countries, but France, Germany, UK, Italy and  Japan are 
backing out on a $20 billion promise made earlier this year.  

Millions of lives are on the line and this is our chance to hold  them to 
their word. Sign the petition below and it will be delivered  directly to 
world leaders and through a spectacular stunt at the Roman  Colosseum on the 
eve of the Summit: 

_http://www.avaaz.org/en/world_hunger_pledges_ 
(http://www.avaaz.org/en/world_hunger_pledges/?cl=367548827&v=4458)   

The world produces enough food to feed everyone. Yet the number  of people 
suffering from chronic hunger across the planet has reached the  record-high 
figure of 1 billion this year. 

Hundreds of billions are  spent by wealthy governments to bail out banks 
and financial institutions, but  the G8 countries are trying to cut a promised 
$20 billion agriculture fund for  the poorest countries to only $3 billion 
in new money. With literally  millions facing life-threatening hunger, this 
is a scandal. 

The Rome  summit is our best opportunity to push governments to promote 
small holder  food production -- growing evidence shows that intensive farming 
models are  not effectively countering hunger and have a highly damaging 
impact on our  environment. 

We are teaming up with anti-poverty organisation ActionAid  and global 
farmers networks to show our governments that we refuse to accept a  world where 
people die every minute from hunger. Sign the petition to the Rome  Summit 
-- every signature will be represented at a stunning delivery event at  
Rome's Colloseum: 

_http://www.avaaz.org/en/world_hunger_pledges_ 
(http://www.avaaz.org/en/world_hunger_pledges/?cl=367548827&v=4458)   

The economic crisis and climate change are hitting the poorest  hardest and 
pushing millions to the very brink of survival. It´s at times like  these 
when we must stick closer together and show that we care for those whose  
most basic rights are denied. Sign the petition below: 

_http://www.avaaz.org/en/world_hunger_pledges_ 
(http://www.avaaz.org/en/world_hunger_pledges/?cl=367548827&v=4458)   

With hope, 

Luis, Alice, Benjamin, Graziela, Ricken, Pascal,  Iain, Paula, Paul, 
Veronique and the entire Avaaz Team

Sources  

Global Hunger worsening, warns UN:
_http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8306556.stm_ 
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8306556.stm)   

Only 15% of G8 pledge is new money, Reuters: 
_http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL3424540_ 
(http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL3424540)   

ActionAid's HungerFREE Scorecard: Small scale farming systems critical  in 
tackling hunger and poverty:
_http://www.hungerfreeplanet.org/what-we-do/world-food-day_ 
(http://www.hungerfreeplanet.org/what-we-do/world-food-day)   

More information about ActionAid´s HungerFREE global campaign at:
_http://www.hungerfreeplanet.org/_ (http://www.hungerfreeplanet.org/)   

World Food Day: There is enough food grown in the world for everyone  
(Op-ed), Oxfam International: 
_http://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressrelease/2009-10-16/world-food-day_ 
(http://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressrelease/2009-10-16/world-food-day)   

About the World Food Summit: 
_http://www.un-ngls.org/spip.php?article1399_ 
(http://www.un-ngls.org/spip.php?article1399)   

----------------------------------------


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