Global food systems 'need to be sustainable'
27 July 2011
Posted by Michelle Devonshire
More needs to be done to develop an agriculture-based response to food shortages that is sustainable, it has been claimed.
According to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), meeting production challenges in the future in order to prevent famines will be reliant upon political stability and development efforts.
Communications manager at the umbrella fundraising organisation Brendan Paddy declared: "The global and regional food system is clearly not working for millions of people."
His comments come as east Africa suffers one of its worst famines ever, with the DEC reporting that more than ten million people are affected by the disaster following a severe drought.
Mr Paddy explained that a number of factors have contributed towards the crisis, with increases in global food and fuel costs affecting humanitarian efforts, while: "Markets across the East Africa region are almost empty of staple foods."
The DEC has launched an appeal for east Africa and has reported that more than £30 million has been raised to date to fund aid to the region.