FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2003

Congressional Human Rights Caucus Members’ Briefing World Hunger: Moving Towards Global Food Security

The Congressional Human Rights Caucus met on May 21, 2003 to discuss the pertinent and presently neglected topic of world hunger and global food security. The briefing was co-chaired by Representatives Frank Wolf, Lois Capps and James McGovern, and attended by fellow Representatives and Caucus Members Marcy Kaptur and Maxine Waters.

Welcoming statements by each Representative acknowledged the overshadowing of global hunger by the current focus on Iraq both among politicians and in the media. Hunger presently affects more than 800 million people worldwide, including 33.6 million Americans who go to bed hungry every night. This crisis must not be forgotten. Caucus members agreed that world hunger and poverty are threats to our national security and should be addressed with the same fervor as other threats. Members highlighted the role of the U.S. as the largest aid donor in the world, encouraging other nations to increase their contributions, but also recognized how much more we can do. Congressman McGovern noted, “Hunger is a political problem,” one that can be ended if there is political will.

The highlight of the briefing was the return to Capitol Hill of Ambassador Tony Hall, former Member of Congress and current U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture in Rome. He began his testimony by acknowledging America’s significant contributions to fighting global hunger. In 2002, the U.S. donated well over 50 percent of all international food aid. Moreover, American NGOs, churches, private foundations and citizens, and the government provided a total of $56 billion in food, assistance, and monetary donations. However, we are only reaching 10 percent of the more than 850 million hungry people in the world. Amb. Hall noted the myriad of food crises in the world this year and called for increased attention and action by the international community in order to mitigate potential humanitarian disasters.

Ambassador Hall briefly touched on the hot topic of genetically modified food (GMO), criticizing many European governments and NGOs for giving “misinformation” about GMO to African leaders, thus hampering the delivery and acceptance of food aid from the U.S.

After commending President Bush and Congress for their commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS, Amb. Hall highlighted the fact that 75 percent of the world’s poor and hungry live in rural areas. This reality requires multi-faceted approaches including agricultural interventions. The Global HIV/AIDS Initiative should incorporate a wide array of strategies, targeting not only health care and education, but also food security and agriculture, given that one cannot progress without the others.

As a final point, Amb. Hall reminded Caucus members of the progress made by the Global School Feeding Program in feeding and educating children worldwide. Regrettably, the money is running out and increased funding is urgently needed.

In continuation, William Garvelink, Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, accompanied by Lauren Landis, Director of the Office of Food for Peace, both from USAID, briefed the Caucus on the present situation in Africa and U.S. efforts to confront the crises. Garvelink informed members that despite Iraq, USAID continues to focus efforts towards famine in Africa and has not diverted any resources away from these crises. However, he continued by saying that current pledges made by the U.S. and other donors are still not enough. Garvelink expressed his specific concern for Ethiopia and Eritrea in the next few months, citing possible breakdowns in the pipeline and delays in European pledges. Ultimately, Garvelink acknowledged that food aid is a short-term response and encouraged funding of longer-term development assistance, particularly agriculture, in order to avoid repetitive crises. Congressman Wolf replied by expressing his hope that President Bush will address the issue of European donations in his visit to Europe for the G-8 Summit.

Congresswoman Kaptur noted the existing “crack” between USDA and USAID on international food security initiatives, remarking on USDA’s absence at the briefing. She encouraged a closer partnership between the two agencies that could unite the resources and skills of each to better combat global hunger.

Roy Stacy briefed the Caucus on the success of the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWSNET) in predicting potential crises. While food aid is helpful, Stacy promoted reinvesting in agricultural programs such as the successful Sahel Development Program of 1973, in order to halt and reverse declining productivity in Africa.

Joan Holmes of the Hunger Project discussed the global impact chronic hunger and the direct correlation between women and hunger. Famine accounts for only 8 percent of hunger-related deaths and receives the most attention, while the remaining 92 percent are the result of chronic, persistent hunger, totaling 20,000 deaths daily. Holmes contended while women and children make up the majority of the “persistent hungry,” they are rarely given the skills or opportunities to end their own hunger. Holmes recommended three components for a successful hunger fighting strategy: 1) improving the overall health of women; 2) recognizing women as important producers in the economy; and 3) promoting women’s leadership in all sectors of society. Holmes encouraged the Caucus to re-examine U.S. aid to ensure that the majority of resources are directed to empowering women. In response, Congresswomen Capps and Kaptur invited Holmes to meet with the Women’s Caucus to further discuss her testimony.

Dr. Mark Cohen testified on behalf of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). The mission of IFPRI is rooted in the fundamental right of everyone to adequate food and freedom from hunger. Recent IFPRI research found the Food and Agriculture Organization’s estimate of 840 million hungry people worldwide to be a “conservative estimate”. In order to combat the complex causes of hunger, Cohen suggested an equally comprehensive set of strategies, beginning with a more explicit and effective emphasis on human rights, specifically the right to adequate food. Other tactics included investments in human resources; broad-based agricultural and rural development; access to markets; expanded research, knowledge, and technology; and management of natural resources. While recognizing that legislation on the right to food would not automatically guarantee the enforcement of that right, Cohen regarded it as a primary starting point around which people can rally and against which they can hold their governments accountable.

The last speaker of the day, John Teton, briefed the Caucus on the International Food Security Treaty (IFST), which aims to establish enforceable international law guaranteeing the right to be free from hunger. The IFST would allow individuals, civil society and NGOs to bring complaints to U.N. bodies when governments violate the right to food. In addition, the IFST also advocated the creation of a global food reserve to ensure adequate food aid in times of crisis. Teton asked the Caucus members for their support in persuading the U.S. to co-sponsor the Treaty in the U.N.

For more information, please see:

Congressional Human Rights Caucus
www.house.gov/lantos/caucus/caucuswebpage.htm

Ambassador Tony Hall
http://www.usembassy.it/usunrome/files/hall.htm

World Food Program
www.wfp.org

USAID, Food for Peace
www.usaid.gov/hum_response/ffp

FEWSNET
www.fews.net

The Hunger Project
www.hungerproject.org

International Food Policy Research Institute
www.ifpri.org

International Food Security Treaty
www.treaty.org