Opinion | Editorials
Don't make a meal of food shortage
Global solution should be found before instability and chaos set in
- Gulf News
- Published: 23:38 April 8, 2008
The issue of food prices and the availability of food across various developing countries is one that should be dealt with seriously and with immediacy. The sense of urgency in addressing the matter stems from the fact that this should not be ignored until it turns into a disaster or a major crisis in the future.
The worldwide phenomenon of soaring food prices would lead to the emergence of a "new face of hunger" in developing countries, according to John Powell, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
"The new face of hunger is that of those who are in urban areas and very poor, those in rural areas who are landless, and those who may produce some food, but much less than they need for themselves and their families. For these people, they see food in the market or in shops, but simply don't have the income to buy that, and that can lead to disastrous consequences," he said.
Describing the situation as such should not be taken lightly as recent food riots in some countries such as Cameroon, Senegal and Indonesia for example, raise a warning sign of what is to come if the problem is not tackled with immediate solutions as well as with long-term plans.
But the most serious aspect of this growing problem is the repercussions that it brings about as some countries have already witnessed food rioters resorting to violence. In fact, the situation in some countries is so desperate that any action would be deemed a failure if it is enacted months away from today.
For hundreds of thousands, quelling hunger should be within the parameters of the "now" rather than the "later". Before matters reach a state of chaos and instability, a global joint solution is a must.
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