OneWorld.net (U.S.)

A number of startling facts emerged from a workshop that was held in Dhaka recently. Firstly, the number of hungry people in the world is on the rise and at present it has reached around 850 million. Second, even in the United States, approximately 10 million people go to bed hungry and there is a growing concern in the European countries that poverty and hunger might become more widespread and affect substantial parts of the society. And thirdly, hunger is prevalent in Bangladesh not because of food scarcity but because of lack of employment. Experts also attributed it to low resource bases, high population, poor economy of the country, especially the rural economy, inequity in society and distribution, lack of good governance, natural calamities like flood, cyclone and river erosion. Some experts also stressed the need for reducing government expenditure and channeling funds to development activities. For actual reduction of poverty and combating hunger, emphasis should be given on implementation of the commitments made by the government and various development partners. Food security, as defined at the World Food Summit in 1996, means access by all people at all times to the food needed for an active and healthy life. But unfortunately, food security has remained an unachieved goal in most of poor countries including Bangladesh. Well-designed government policies, including a liberalised external trade regime and targeted food transfer programmes, have helped stabilise foodgrain availability. Yet half of the population of Bangladesh routinely lacks the money and resources necessary to secure adequate access to food. Bangladesh''s impressive achievements in increasing foodgrain availability have not translated into comprehensive food security that resolves the problems of inadequate food intake and chronic malnutrition among poor people. Targeted cash transfers, in addition to direct food transfers, can help increase household access to food and other basic needs. We urge the government to put in place a food security plan as soon as possible.

Source:South Asia Media Net