October 16, 2007
Philadelphia, PA
The Right to Food is recognized as a human right since the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1945. Yet, everyday, across the world 18,000 children die of hunger and malnutrition. (1) The lack of adequate nutrition causes half of all deaths for children under the age of five. (2)
Without access to adequate food and nutrition children face a life of stunted physical development and limited educational attainment. All human beings have the right to live free of hunger, especially young children who need nutrition in order to develop their minds and their bodies.
October 16th does not just mark the right to food but also demands child and nutrition advocates, legislators and policy makers look beyond the devasting impact of hunger to examine the root cause of hunger - poverty. All countries have the obligation to protect their youngest citizens and ensure not just their development but also their dignity.
For more information about World Food Day and what you can do to help combat hunger click on the links below:
The Right to Food
World Food Day FAO of the United Nations
World Food Day Hunger Map
Feeding Minds, Fighting Hunger
The Right to Food in Practe: Implementation at the National Level
For futher information - please contact:
Michelle Renee Chyatte, MPH, Policy Coordinator the Philadelpia GROW Project
(1) Child Rights Information Network, September 26, 2006
(2) Implementation of General Assembly Resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006 Entitled 'Human Rights Council': Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Jean Ziegler.
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