"In 2015, in too many countries, “women’s empowerment” remains a pipedream - little more than a rhetorical flourish added to a politician’s speech..." Dr Flavia Bustreo, ADG We've come a long way since 1995--and it is time to celebrate women and their achievements. But it is also time to take stock of how women’s rights are fulfilled in the world --especially the right to health. Twenty years after countries signed pledges in the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action, women still … [Read more...]
“The Action Agenda for Sustainable Development”
“The Action Agenda for Sustainable Development” Under the leadership of Jeffrey Sachs (Director of the SDSN and head of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, which hosts the secretariat of the network), the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) has issued the report, entitled “The Action Agenda for Sustainable Development”. This report is the result of collaboration between top scientists, technologists, businesses, and development specialist and is a critical input … [Read more...]
Women are main guardians of crucial livestock diversity
November 2012, Rome - Women livestock keepers worldwide must be recognized as the major actors in efforts to arrest the decline of indigenous breeds, crucial for rural food security and animal genetics, a new FAO study argues. Yet women's contribution to indigenous livestock breeding and conservation is poorly documented and undervalued, the study Invisible Guardians: Women manage livestock diversity says. Of the 600 million poor livestock keepers in the world, around two-thirds are women, … [Read more...]
870 million chronically undernourished – new hunger report
October 2012, Rome - Nearly 870 million people, or one in eight, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2010-2012, according to the new UN hunger report released today. The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2012 (SOFI), jointly published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP), presents better estimates of chronic undernourishment based on an improved methodology and data for … [Read more...]
NIGERIA – Women Taking Action to protect families from malnutrition
GARIN GOULBI, Niger, 29 May 2012 – In Garin Goulbi, a small village more than 500 kilometres from Niger’s capital, women have taken the lead in protecting their families and community during the country’s dire food security and nutrition crisis, which has left more than six million people across Niger facing food shortages. According to UN experts, successive droughts in 2005, 2010 and now 2012 have pushed families to the brink. UNICEF and the Government of Niger recognized that families … [Read more...]
Born Too Soon: The Global Action Report on Preterm Birth
Born Too Soon: The Global Action Report on Preterm Birth Malian infants have low birth weights, linked to inadequate maternal care, malnutrition and endemic poverty. Photo: UNICEF Some 15 million babies worldwide – more than one in ten births – are born too early, according to a new United Nations-backed report, released today, which calls for steps such as ensuring the requisite medicines and equipment and training health staff to promote child survival.“All newborns are … [Read more...]
Pakistan’s most vulnerable, especially women and children
The Government of Pakistan is committed to improving its global health index and we are dedicated to ensure that Pakistan’s most vulnerable, especially women and children, get vitamins and minerals they need to survive and thrive, said Mr. Muhammad Ayub, Senior Chief, Planning and Development Division, Government of Pakistan. (..) Mr. Carl Paulson, Head of Programmes from World Food Programmes in his remarks, assured that the WFP would continue to support the people of Pakistan for elimination … [Read more...]
JAPAN, 114 Million $USD to Help WFP Fight Hunger In 21 Countries
US$114 Million From Japan Helps WFP Fight Hunger In 21 Countries YOKOHAMA - The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a US$114 million contribution from the government of Japan to provide urgently needed food and nutritional assistance to millions of the most vulnerable people including refugees, internally displaced people, malnourished children, pregnant and breastfeeding women in 21 countries. The donation will also support logistics operations in two … [Read more...]
Rap Star 50 Cent: ‘Visit to Somali Refugee Camp Was Devastating’
American rap star Curtis Jackson, known to fans as 50 Cent, calls the sights he saw in a refugee camp in Somalia “devastating.” The United Nations World Food Program recently hosted Jackson on a tour of Somalia and Kenya so he could see the fight against hunger in the Horn of Africa. (..) Jackson spoke Thursday about a visit to the Kabasa camp in southern Somalia's Dolow region, where thousands have sought refuge from war and drought. Jackson said women and children risked everything just to … [Read more...]
DROUGHT takes our Women in Sahel Region of West Africa
DROUGHT takes our Women in the Sahel Region of West Africa For the third time in a decade, drought has returned to the Sahel region of West Africa bringing hunger to millions of people across the region. WFP is pre-positioning food assistance ahead of the annual lean season when the vulnerable – especially women and children – are most at risk of malnutrition. NIAMEY—Drought has hit the Sahel region this year just as many families are still in the … [Read more...]
UN Launches $3M Food Program in Urban Afghanistan
UN Launches $3M Food Program in Urban Afghanistan The United Nations World Food Programme, WFP announced on Tuesday that they have agreed to contribute $3 million dollars towards a project to help the urban poor cope with high food prices. (..) About 18,900 households including some 113,000 individuals, mostly poor women and households headed by the disabled will benefit from the project. (..) “We are launching this project after the successful implementation of similar programs in other … [Read more...]
Horn of Africa Crisis – Save a Life Now
Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya are facing the worst drought in 60 years. And with food costs skyrocketing, millions of people face malnutrition and the life-long disability that comes with it. You've probably seen the pictures on the news – of children with skin hanging from their bones. Without help, these children's bodies will run out of energy and die. Please, help us feed these children and their families. $50 is enough to provide one month of food rations for a family … [Read more...]