‘Children cannot eat empty promises’
4.7 million died from Covid-19 and at the same time, at least 16 million people died from hunger
Executive Director of the World Food Programme David Beasley urged everyone around the world including the world leaders to come together to fight world hunger to ensure food security and nutrition become a reality.
During the Food Systems Summit in New York on 23 September, he said, "Children cannot eat empty promises so, now is the time to roll up our sleeves."
During the speech, pointing out the existing wealth inequality in the world, Beasley said, there is $400 trillion worth of wealth on the earth today yet nine million people die from hunger every year.
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He said during the height of Covid-19, billionaires' net worth increase was $5.2 billion per day while 24,000 people died from hunger per day.
"Every hour the net worth of billionaires during the height of Covid-19 was a substantial $216 million per hour. Yet 1000 people per hour were dying from hunger… Shame on us," Beasley noted.
Highlighting the devastating impact of hunger on the world population, the WFP executive director said, "We have had 4.7 million people die from Covid-19. At the same time, we had 16 million people die from hunger."
To make a stronger and healthier planet, it is important to provide people with the resources they need to feel empowered. At the same time, helping indigenous populations, empowering and inspiring the youth can also contribute to building a better planet, Beasley added.
