The Philippine government has launched a task force that will focus on addressing the “persistent, complex, and multi-dimensional” problem of hunger.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles, who heads Pilipinas Kontra Gutom, cited a Social Weather Stations survey in September that showed a 30.7-percent hunger incidence in the country, replacing the record-high 23.8 percent in March 2012.
“Food is one of the most basic human rights and the lack of it is one of, if not the, greatest violation of this basic human right,” said Nograles.
He said zero hunger is second in the United Nation’s sustainable goals.
He also admitted that the government cannot resolve the hunger issue alone, especially as the nation faces the coronavirus pandemic.
“There is a need for a national movement aimed at inspiring and empowering individuals, businesses, organizations, and governments to make tangible actions towards ending hunger in the Philippines,” said Nograles.
The government has joined hands with private institutions that have pledged support for the zero hunger movement.
“Everyone must be involved, everyone must contribute so everyone will be able to partake of a meal so we can end hunger together as a nation,” said Nograles.
In his message during World Food Day, Pope Francis expressed concern over the number of people struggling with food insecurity.
“The current crisis shows us that concrete policies and actions are needed to eradicate hunger in the world,” said the pontiff.
“Sometimes dialectical or ideological discussions take us far from reaching this goal, and we allow our brothers and sisters to continue dying for lack of food,” the pope added.
