DiagnosticsJohn Kufuor Leads Effort To Fight Global Hunger Among Schoolchildren
The former Ghanaian president, John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor, has
Today
been named a Global Ambassador against Hunger for the United Nations
World
Food Programme (WFP). He joins an elite team of celebrities, sportsmen
And
statesmen in stepping forward to advocate on behalf of the world"s
poorest
and hungriest people.
WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran said that with the number of
Hungry
people in the world expected to top one billion this year, John Kufuor
is
bringing WFP critical support at a crucial juncture. She added
that
Ambassador Kufuor will emphasise the need to provide good nutrition
For
children in school.
"John Kufuor not only talks the talk, but walks the walk," Sheeran
said.
"Ghana is a leader in nourishing its children and Ambassador Kufuor can
Be
a leader in getting others to follow his good work."
With renewed attention focused on the issue of global food security,
John
Kufuor will also help to underline the importance of fighting hunger
on
several fronts - by investing in long-term agricultural development,
but
also by funding WFP"s work in tackling urgent hunger needs and helping
the
hungry poor to access affordable and nutritious food.
"Ensuring that every child has proper nutrition has to be the goal of
Every
world leader," John Kufuor said. "I hope to inspire them all to strive
for
this goal."
WFP Ambassadors against Hunger demonstrate commitment to the global
Fight
against hunger. They reach out to world leaders as well as the
general
public, using their talent, skills and public persona to generate
awareness
and support for WFP. John Kufuor joins a powerful team of WFP
ambassadors
including sporting legends such as the marathon runner, Paul Tergat and
the
footballer, Kakç ; former U.S. Senator, George McGovern, and the
actress,
Drew Barrymore.
Key facts about WFP School Meal programmes:
66 million children go to school hungry each day - This is largely
due to an increase in overall global school enrollment, and the food
and financial crises have increased the ranks of the food
insecure/undernourished.
Approximately 70% of the 66 million are concentrated in ten countries
(India, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bangladesh,
Indonesia, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, United Republic of
Tanzania, Philippines).
WFP calculates that US$3.2 billion is needed per year to reach all 66
million hungry school age children. US$1.1 billion would allow WFP to
reach the 22 million children in Africa.
Every year WFP feeds more than 20 million children in school meal
programmes in some 70 countries. In 2008, WFP fed a record 23 million
children.
Over the past 45 years, 42 countries have taken over the
responsibility from WFP for school meal programmes.
World Food Programme