UN summit results in pledge to mitigate food crisis

June 6, 2008 

Protests and violent riots have resulted in parts of the world in recent months due to increasing unaffordability, and sometimes unavailability, of food. It is estimated that 862 million people, or just over one eighth of the world's population, are malnourished. 
According to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, up to US$20 billion will be required annually to avert crises in the most hard-hit areas. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has put the figure closer to US$30 billion. Pledges made just at the summit amounted to more than US$5 billion, according to the UN. 
Despite the largely positively-received outcome of the summit, held in Rome, Italy, there were some who felt that the proceedings could have gone better. Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) pointed to the fact that they were not invited to partake in the discussions. Food and hunger policy adviser Magda Kropiwnicka of ActionAid commented on the strength of the final pledge: "There were no quantifiable financial commitments. Apart from the existing UN Food and Agriculture Organisation funds, no money has been given to address the key problem of boosting capacity."
UN summit results in pledge to mitigate food crisis June 6 , 2008 Protests and violent riots have resulted in parts of the world in recent months due to increasing unaffordability , and sometimes unavailability , of food . It is estimated that 862 million people , or just over one eighth of the world 's population , are malnourished . According to UN Secretary General Ban Ki - moon , up to US$ 20 billion will be required annually to avert crises in the most hard - hit areas . The UN Food and Agriculture Organization ( FAO ) has put the figure closer to US$ 30 billion . Pledges made just at the summit amounted to more than US$ 5 billion , according to the UN . Despite the largely positively - received outcome of the summit , held in Rome , Italy , there were some who felt that the proceedings could have gone better . Several non - governmental organisations ( NGOs ) pointed to the fact that they were not invited to partake in the discussions . Food and hunger policy adviser Magda Kropiwnicka of ActionAid commented on the strength of the final pledge : " There were no quantifiable financial commitments . Apart from the existing UN Food and Agriculture Organisation funds , no money has been given to address the key problem of boosting capacity . "
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