Last Friday, I was a panellist in the World Bank’s Open Forum on Food. The topic was the food crisis, and the sustained increase in food prices that has wreaked havoc on the world’s poorest people.
In September, four UK MPs visited Kenya to see Concern’s work firsthand. There, they found out about the reality of life for many Kenyans struggling with chronic hunger.
In November 2009, the European Commission (EC) awarded a two-year €1.97 million grant to Concern Tanzania for its work in the agricultural sector. The grant will help poor farmers, in 175 villages, avail of their rights to food and land. It will also help to mitigate the negative effects of recent poor harvests and rising food prices.
On the 10 February the EU Delegation in Tanzania signed a multi-country grant contract with Concern Worldwide. The contract is designed to increase the options for rural communities for making a living with the engagement of government and the private sector.
Between 16 and 18 November 2009, world leaders and government ministers met in Rome for the World Summit on Food Security. Concern Worldwide attended the conference as an observer.
Heads of states and governments gathered in Rome on Monday, for the third World Food Summit. They unanimously adopted a declaration pledging a renewed commitment to eradicate hunger.
It has been an interesting two days at the Civil Society Organisations Forum. This is running parallel to the World Summit on Food Security 2009 in Rome.