|
The World Bank chief warned on Tuesday that 100 million
people have already been pushed into poverty due to a man-made food
crisis while as many as two billion are on the verge of disaster.
“This is not a natural disaster,” said Robert B. Zoellick, president
of the World Bank. “Make no mistake; there is nothing natural about
this. But for millions of people it is a disaster.”
He noted that hunger and malnutrition were already the underlying
causes of death of over 3.5 million children every year, robbing the
future potential of many millions more.
In
Washington, a US government commission is investigating claims that
big investors who buy large quantities for future trading are
largely responsible for the current unprecedented hike in food
prices across the world.
The use of corn and soyabean as bio-fuel also contributed to this
crisis by moving farmers away from food to cash crops and by driving
food prices beyond the reach of common people.
After an annual meeting in
Washington
earlier this month, the bank warned that the world is facing an
unprecedented food crisis which may cause riots and wars if not
checked.
“The next few weeks are critical for addressing the food crisis,”
said Mr Zoellick on Tuesday. “For 2 billion people, high food prices
are now a matter of daily struggle, sacrifice and for too many, even
survival.”
Mr Zoellick, who issued the statement after attending a meeting of
the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination in Berne,
Switzerland, said the bank believes that already some 100 million
people may have been pushed into poverty as a result of high prices
over the last 2 years.
For the immediate crisis, the bank urged governments to fill the
$500 million food gap identified by the UN World Food Programme.
The bank also launched an emergency management programme called the
“new deal,” pledging to nearly double agricultural lending to
Sub-Saharan Africa over the next year to $800 million to
substantially increase crop productivity.
“Donors must act now to support the WFP’s call for some $755 million
to meet emergency needs,” said Mr Zoellick.
He also warned donors to fulfil their pledges, noting that roughly
$475 million have so far been pledged. “But pledges won’t feed
hungry mouths,” he said. “Donors must put their money on the table,
and give WFP maximum flexibility – with a minimum of earmarking – to
target the most urgent needs.”
Mr Zoellick said that the proposed ‘new deal’ must embrace a short-,
medium- and long-term response: support for safety nets such as
school feeding, food for work, and conditional cash transfer
programmes.
He also called for increased agricultural production; a better
understanding of the impact of bio-fuels and action on the trade
front to reduce “distorting subsidies,” and trade barriers.
“We are urging countries not to use export bans. These controls
encourage hoarding, drive up prices and hurt the poorest people
around the world who are struggling to feed themselves,” he said.
The international community, Mr Zoellick added needs to commit to
working together to respond with policy initiatives, “so that this
year’s crisis doesn’t become a generation’s fact of life.”
Ref link:
http://www.dawn.com/2008/04/30/top9.htm |
