Bread Commends Obama's Historic Speech to End Hunger and Malnutrition

WASHINGTON, May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bread for the World applauds President Barack Obama's historic speech on hunger today, during which he announced a new partnership to speed efforts to end hunger and improve child nutrition around the world.

"We commend President Obama for his consistent leadership in the fight against hunger and malnutrition," said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. "We call on other G-8 leaders to also commit to prioritizing nutrition—especially during the first 1,000 days of a child's life—as Obama has done this morning."

President Obama announced The New Alliance for Food Security this morning at the 3rd Annual Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security, held in Washington, DC, by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. It was the first speech on hunger delivered by a sitting president. The G-8 Summit, which meets this weekend in Camp David, MD, also will focus on global food and nutrition security issues.

"This effort to involve international corporations more deeply in African agriculture is an important step forward in lifting millions of poor Africans out of poverty," said Beckmann. "However, nongovernmental organizations and official agencies will also need to increase their efforts to monitor and collaborate with companies that are doing business in Africa."

The new initiative comes at a time when the Sahel region in Africa is experiencing its third drought in eight years, largely due to climate change. "Africa has suffered from the lack of investments in agriculture to ensure its long-term food and nutrition security," said Beckmann. "Reducing hunger and improving nutrition in the world's poorest nations is not only a moral obligation but is good for U.S. national security."

Three years ago, President Obama led efforts by the world's eight richest countries to invest $22 billion to improve agriculture and food security in the world's poorest countries. The United States is on track to fulfill its commitment.

"This new initiative would not have been possible without the persistent advocacy efforts of Bread for the World members and its partners to urge the U.S. government to prioritize nutrition along with agricultural development," said Beckmann.

A new analysis of the G-8's food security and nutrition efforts, "From L'Aquila to Camp David: Sustaining the Momentum on Global Food and Nutrition Security," can be downloaded at http://ow.ly/b08wU.

Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision-makers to end hunger at home and abroad.

SOURCE Bread for the World