Every human being is entitled to have food that is safe and healthy. The world is working to reach that goal, but was interrupted by the current pandemic caused by the coronavirus disease.
However, the goal continues as the celebration of this year’s World Food Day will highlight the theme: “food safety, everyone’s business.”
The annual celebration takes place every 16th of October to recognize hunger issues across the globe, raise awareness, and lay out plans tackling poverty and hunger.
It is also to honor the United Nation's establishment of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945.
Global hunger has been on a decline in the past years until 2018. In 2019, the FAO reported that around 690 million people experienced hunger and this year, the number was estimated to reach above 800 million.
This is mainly due to the COVID-19 crisis and disputes present in different countries.
In the Philippines, the fight against the rebels is affecting the lives of people, which leads to poverty and hunger. Natural disasters like typhoons and earthquakes are other contributors.
To reduce and eventually eradicate hunger, the government will launch the National Food Policy (NFP) in line with the celebration for World Food Day.
The said policy focuses on boosting food production, giving assistance, and creating jobs.
Aside from the launching of NFP, different activities and feeding programs are held to highlight the celebration.
According to UNICEF, around seven percent of the children in the Philippines are too thin for their height, in short, malnourished.
To remedy this, the government along with the private sector rolled out the Philippine Plan of Action on Nutrition (PPAN). The goal is to right the eating diet of children to avoid malnutrition, stunted height, and overweight.
Aside from the efforts of the government, cause-oriented groups like PROJECT PEARLS are also giving their lending hands to defeat hunger.
The non-profit organization holds a feeding program every day in a community in Tondo, Manila wherein most families rely on “pagpag.”