The UN Millennium Development Goals include cutting in half poverty and hunger by the year 2015. Despite projected increases in grain crops, which should help, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, 33 countries will not have enough food to feed their people this year. Women, children, the sick and the elderly are most at risk.
From the FAO website, it appears that in 2007 33 countries will require external assistance:
Exceptional shortfall in food production/supplies:
Iraq, Lesotho, Philippines, Swaziland, Zimbabwe
Widespread lack of access to food:
Afghanistan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Haiti, Liberia, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Sierra Leone
Severe localized food insecurity:
Bolivia, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Madagascar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania
Countries with unfavourable prospects for current crops
Bolivia - Adverse weather conditions (floods in lowlands; drought, hail and frost in highlands)
Iraq - Conflict, displacement
Lesotho - Dry weather
Namibia - Dry spells
South Africa - Dry, hot weather in maize growing areas
Swaziland - Dry weather
Timor-Leste - Drought
Zimbabwe - Dry spells in southern parts of the country
What action is needed: pressing our government to respond to calls for assistance when these are made. The US is a generous donor in food assistance, but it is important for Americans who care to keep this on the front burner among our elected officials.
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