Maravi

World crises will push more people into poverty – Giyose

World crises will push more people into poverty – Giyose
Written by Florence Bupe
Tuesday, February 03, 2009 9:24:51 AM

THE current world crises will push more people into poverty, New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) food and nutrition advisor Boitshepo Giyose has observed.

Giyose said most developing economies were facing challenges in the availability and distribution of fuel, fertiliser, food and finances.

“We are living in very challenging times, times of several crises. When we look at these together, the challenge they bring is that they continue to push people over the poverty line,” Giyose said. “This means that more and more people are suffering in terms of food insecurity and malnutrition.”

She called on leaders to be action-oriented in combating the prevailing crises as opposed to establishing policies without implementing them.

“When we talk about hunger and malnutrition, I can tell you how many meetings, conferences and summits have taken place over the years. Thirty years later, we are still talking about preventing them because those that are affected are mostly poor people who are often not seen or heard,” she said.

She said because of low productivity, most communities were malnourished, and ultimately unable to make any meaningful contribution to economic growth.

“Until leaders, individuals and countries truly commit to improving food and nutrition security, we will forever be singing the same old song. My advice to political leaders in 2009 is that if you do not invest in food security, so much is going to be lost and it will be hard to catch up,” said Giyose.

Labels: BOITSHEPO GIYOSE, GREAT DEPRESSION II, HUNGER

posted by MrK @ 9:25 AM