Last year, 673 million people worldwide suffered from hunger - according to the UN World Food Report published today. In view of drastic cuts in the fight against hunger, the situation is threatening to worsen again after a slight recovery in the previous year. Lutz DepenbuschMisereor nutrition expert, appeals to the German government to take global responsibility:

"673 million people are not starving because the world could not feed them. Parties to the conflict - in Gaza, Myanmar, Sudan and many other countries - accept hunger or use it as a weapon. Governments ignore the poverty that drives people into hunger. They ignore the inadequate measures against the climate catastrophe that is already destroying harvests and lives.

All of this has been a reality for a long time - but the situation is currently threatening to become even worse, not least due to the change of policy in the USA.

The German government cannot end hunger on its own, but it can make an important contribution: it should take a clear stance towards warring parties - also with regard to Gaza. It should step up the fight against climate change and not weaken it in favour of short-term economic interests. And above all, it should actively accept its even more important role in international cooperation following the withdrawal of the USA.

However, if the government implements its plans to further reduce funding for development work and even halve humanitarian aid, it will be accepting suffering and death with its eyes wide open."

In the fight against hunger

Misereor was founded in 1958 as a "work against hunger and disease in the world". Since then, Misereor has focussed primarily on combating hunger in the long term. This is achieved, among other things, by strengthening smallholder agriculture and local food systems. In acute cases, Misereor provides emergency aid to ensure basic food supplies. Misereor currently supports over 800 projects that contribute to improving food security worldwide.