The New Nation - Internet Edition

ACCORDING to a recent report from Geneva, the global economic crisis could create up to 100 million 'new hungry' as it wipes out jobs in poor countries. The figure on the number of new hungry that is likely to result from the crisis estimated by the Food and Agriculture Organisation is between 50 and 100 million. The UN assistant secretary-general and coordinator of a task force on global food security has been quoted as saying 'the evidence that t is that the problem is starting up.' The crisis would swell the ranks of the estimated one billion who are at risk of malnutrition.

The 'Group of Eight' at an Agriculture Summit held in Italy earlier discussed the impending crisis that might engulf the world and possible ways of its remedy. The threat brought about by unemployment would be grafted on to the food crisis caused by rising prices last year. The International Labour Organisation estimated in January that two years of global financial and economic meltdown could add 50 million more people to the ranks of the world's unemployed by the end of 2009, threatening social unrest. The UN is anticipating that with the reduction of their purchasing power for this unemployment, many people might face extreme problems in ensuring food for their families.

Many others are likely to head into another period of hunger. The task force has already urged the G8 agriculture ministers' meeting to ensure that food and farm reform are included in attempts to revive the global economy, especially through support for small holders in developing nations and trade. There are, however, efforts by all rather collectively to overcome the global recession that has shaken very badly the world's most powerful economies having adverse impact on almost all others.