World Hunger Day Highlighting Impact of Covid-19 on Poorest Communities
10th time the global event created by a Chiswick-based charity has been held
The Hunger Project aims to help people lift themselves out of poverty
This Thursday (28 May) is World Hunger Day an event created by the Chiswick based charity the Hunger Project and now marked around the globe.
It is ten years since the day was fixed as a way to raise awareness of the more than 820 million people (approx. 1 in 9 of the global population) living in chronic hunger during an unprecedented global crisis.
The UN World Food Programme Executive Director, David Beasley announced recently that, at the same time that the world is dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, we are also on the brink of a hunger pandemic. 265 million people in the world could face severe food insecurity or famine.
As coronavirus continues to spread across the world it will dramatically impact the poorest communities.
The Hunger Project works in Africa, South Asia and Latin America to help people living in hunger to become agents of change, lifting their communities permanently above the poverty line.
“Communities where The Hunger Project works are striving to declare their self-reliance and end of poverty in their villages. It is vital to continue to support the resilience of these communities now more than ever to make sure they can continue their journey to the end of hunger,” says Sophie Noonan, Country Director, The Hunger Project UK.
“Our sustainable approach and programmes mean that in response to the pandemic, we have been able to mobilize over 500,000 local leaders in 12 countries around the world to help spread correct information and support to communities at risk during the COVID-19 crisis, to make sure no-one is left behind.”
World Hunger Day is a global opportunity for people to come together in solidarity with those living in hunger during this crisis. In the UK one of the campaign actions is the Live Below the Line Challenge, a food challenge that asks participants to live on £1 a day, for 5 days, for all food and drink to support those living below the poverty line, rise above it.
Across the UK people are joining this campaign, including Claudia Allen who has chosen to do the challenge for the entirety of the UK’s lockdown during the Covid-19 crisis.
“Round the world finding enough money to feed yourself and your family is an everyday challenge. Even here in the UK people are finding that they are now living below the poverty line because of COVID-19. I want to raise awareness of the struggle to eat comfortably on £1 a day by taking part in the Live Below the Line challenge which challenges you to live below the poverty line (£1 a day),” she says.
For World Hunger Day 2020 you can also show your support by sharing post and stats from The Hunger Project’s social media account on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also sign up for Live Below the Line Challenge: £5 for 5 days for all food and drink, to supportpeople living below the poverty line during this crisis, rise above it.
Take part for any 5 days until the end of June. For more details of how to take part click here.
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May 28, 2020