|  | | | | Press Section | | | | |
| |
| | October 2008 | | | | | | | | Vita Highlights Importance of Food Security for Africa on World Food Day | | |
Irish based African development organisation Vita has called for a greater focus on food security, rather than food aid, on World Food Day.
World Food Day takes place across the globe today and Vita highlighted that food aid budgets remain much larger than food security budgets which is not the best long term approach for providing support to the poor and hungry.
Vita welcomed the Hunger Task Force, commissioned by Irish Aid, whose findings were published in September and recommended a huge increase in Irish Aid’s food security budget.
Incoming Vita Chief Executive, John Weakliam, commented that: “It’s a bit like buying takeaways instead of cooking at home, simply bad economics. We in the West continue to be called on to provide food aid, largely because for the past 30 years we have provided token support for Africa's efforts to create sustainable food security.
“World Food Day is a good occasion for us to reflect on how our past can inspire us to believe in Africa’s future. Africa can certainly do what Ireland has done and become self-sufficient in food. Just as foreign interference and climatic issues created the calamity of Ireland's potato famine 150 odd years ago, so countries like Eritrea and Ethiopia are grievously affected by similar factors now.
“And just as the great hunger was no slight on the potential of the Irish people, as history has proven, so equally we must believe that African countries have the same human resources of pride and ingenuity to change their lives.
“Distributing food aid to Africa is certainly a kinder act than the colonisation which preceded it but the results can be just as catastrophic. Vita works in partnership with the Eritrean government which made the brave decision to reject food aid, but receive miserly support in their efforts at food self-sufficiency.
“The findings of the Hunger Task Force point to the need to support family food security and nutrition of mothers and children. Vita receives funding from Irish Aid and European Union and works with local partners and communities on innovative local solutions to develop food security at the level of the family.
“Edible Moringa trees and apple trees, improved stoves, improved seeds, beekeeping, drip irrigation, community empowerment - all these can change lives, but need real partnership and empowerment of people.
“Vita has recruited senior management personnel from the private sector, because we believe that NGOs seeking real impact in food security can gain not only from funding under corporate social responsibility, but also from professional business management practices,” Mr Weakliam said.
About Vita
Vita is an Irish international development agency established in 1989 and was formerly known as Refugee Trust. Its mission is to enable poor and marginalised communities in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Kenya to improve their livelihoods in ways which are innovative, appropriate and environmentally sustainable, while respecting the human rights and dignity of all.
Further Information
John Weakliam, Chief Executive, Vita: (01) 882 0108 / (087) 622 5950.
Ronan Cavanagh, Montague Communications: (01) 830 3116 / (086) 317 9731.
| | | |
| |
|
|
|
|
