October 15, 2010
As Canadians celebrate harvest season each year, World Food Day reminds us that nearly a billion people around the world suffer from hunger. Hunger prevents the most vulnerable people living in poverty-women, children, and the elderly-from leading healthy, active, and safe lives.
According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, 925 million people in the world are hungry and malnourished, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where chronic hunger affects one out of every three individuals. Malnutrition is also the main cause of 3.5 million maternal and child deaths each year.
Canada supports this year's World Food Day theme-United against hunger-and has been playing a significant part in the concerted global effort. Canada is the second largest single country donor to the World Food Programme and currently serves as chair of the Food Aid Convention. In 2008, the Government of Canada fully untied its food aid budget, providing CIDA's partners with greater flexibility to purchase appropriate food locally at reasonable prices, reducing high transportation costs. This approach means that food can now reach those who need it in a timelier manner, while supporting local and regional markets and agricultural production.
One year ago today, I announced a comprehensive food security strategy that commits CIDA to concrete action on food security. With this strategy, the Agency is focusing on addressing hunger and malnutrition through the provision of life-saving food assistance and nutrition programming. CIDA is also investing in research and innovation to address food security challenges such as crop resilience, nutritious foods, and diseases related to crops and animal production. In 2009, the Government of Canada committed to doubling Canada's support for sustainable agricultural development by providing access to micro-credit, increasing crop diversity, and helping farmers bring their goods to market.
This summer, Canada championed the Muskoka G-8 initiative for maternal, newborn, and child health. CIDA sees nutrition as a critical element of this work, recognizing the catalytic effect it can have on improving the health of mothers and children.
On October 15, I announced Canada's support for agricultural recovery in Pakistan so farmers can recover crops destroyed by the floods and plant on their land in time for the critical wheat season. Canada's help will also prevent further loss of livestock that is critical to the well-being of farmers and their communities in the flooded regions.
On World Food Day, Canadians can be proud of Canada's commitment to working with our partners to increase global food security by improving the poor's access to sufficient amounts of safe and nutritious foods.
Beverley J. Oda
Minister of International Cooperation
