Writer Roger Thurow, co-author of a new book looking at why hunger exists in an age of plenty, says ensuring everyone on earth has enough to eat is simply a question of political will. In this interview, he explains that the cost is actually quite small.
ROME -- Roger Thurow recently published Enough: why the world’s poorest starve in an age of plenty (PublicAffairs). In the run up to World Hunger Day 2009, he spoke to WFP’s Nancy Roman.
Q: The numbers of the hungry are going up—and about to top one billion people. Why do you think there is more hunger now?
It is a combination of decades of neglect and current events. First, we are reaping the bitter harvest of the decrease in agricultural development in Africa over the past two to three decades. There was little agricultural research and investment in infrastructure, so roads, storage facilities and market structures are now suffering or have collapsed. Last year, this situation was compounded by the food and economic crises. As WFP has documented, while many do not have access to food, some do but can simply cannot afford to buy it. So we are now seeing the new face of hunger—legions of new people on the hunger rolls.
Q: Regarding the problems you cite in the book – e.g. lack of infrastructure, lack of access to water, farm subsidies – which would be the most easily tackled?
All of them, if there is the political will to do so. We need to see infrastructure improvements, research aid, and better market capacities and development. In the US and Europe, this is how our agricultural sectors evolved—with public research in better farming methods, road systems and storage systems. We recognised that if we wanted to improve the economy for all, we would need a strong and vibrant agricultural sector.
Q: What do you think of the G8 pledge of $20 billion for the hungry? Do the two areas exclude each other, i.e. either food assistance or agricultural investment?
It is shameful if it does become an either/or proposition. There is a fine line to walk to ensure that there is enough money for food aid and immediate needs, but also to help farmers grow as much as they can. We are looking at a huge population increase by 2050 and will need a doubling of food production by then—these farmers might indeed become our salvation. Let’s hope the pledges to assault hunger and improve agricultural development come to fruition. In the grand scheme of financial rescues, the money needed is small. If the US can get old cars off the road with a $3 billion programme, where is the $3.5 billion for agricultural development and food aid?
Q: There are more people than ever in need of food aid, yet the global economic downturn has made donors less able to help. Do you feel that it is viable to increase funding for food aid programmes at the moment?
Absolutely. Moments of crisis will often move people to action. The WFP signature Red Cup should have been imprinted into the public’s mind – the cup got emptier as prices rose, and we needed more money to keep it filled. Once people feel the global financial system is stabilised, we will be left with the same factors that led to the food crisis in the first place. The conditions remain the same: the demand for food, an increasing population, dwindling stockpiles. The fact is that it is not better, we are just in the eye of the storm. Political will is vital—we need an international call to say ‘enough is enough’.
Director of Communications, Public Policy, Communications and Private Partnerships
Nancy E. Roman became Director of Public Policy, Communications and Private Partnerships of the UN World Food Programme in August 2007. Ms Roman supervises a global staff covering operations in 80 countries.
