In a timely publication released last week, “Growing a Better Future,” Oxfam reported that the rapid increase in the price of staples like corn has led 44 million more people to hunger in the last year and these food costs are expected to only rise, doubling by 2020, if drastic measures are not taken to address the issues of increasing demand for food and decreasing capacity to produce it.

As Former President Lula of Brazil noted in an Oxfam press release,  “There are no excuses. We have the capacity to feed everyone on the planet now and in the future. If the political will is there no one will be denied their fundamental human right to be free from hunger.”

However, the issue is complex and far-reaching. For example, one of the leading contributors to deforestation is clear-cutting for agricultural purposes. This may create more planting and grazing lands thus addressing the food supply problem, but it robs the planet of many more important resources and has devastating impacts on the climate which ultimately affects agriculture.

In addition to their Growing a Better Future report, Oxfam has also introduced a 5-point plan of urgent actions to address the food crises: investing in small-scale food producers; ending excessive speculation in agricultural commodities; modernizing food aid; stopping giveaways to the corn-ethanol industry; and regulating land and water grabs. These are sound ideas and should be discussed at length by the G20 ministers as plausible courses of action.

Food price increases are a consequence of a vicious spiral of high oil prices; poor harvests in different parts of the world; diversion of food and land to biofuels; export bans reducing global supply; hoarding of food stocks; and speculation on global food markets.

So Oxfam has launched a global food campaign designed to create a functional food system. In order to fix the global food system, Oxfam’s GROW campaign is calling for:

• a new global system that regulates trade and financial markets and that increases funding for food aid and climate change adaptation;
• investment in a new food future, where small-scale farmers are supported and women’s critical role in food production is recognized;
• serious commitments to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and channelling adaptation funding to women farmers hit hardest by rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns.

The program has wide support. An Oxfam Canada poll recently found that two-thirds of Canadians are extremely concerned about rising food prices and human rights abuses. And nearly all Canadians (97 per cent) expressed concern about a potential increase in the frequency and severity of hunger and food shortages.

The global food crisis and suggested solutions are outlined in a new Oxfam report called Growing a Better Future. The program was launched in early June with live events starring volunteers dressed as vegetables!

Today I spoke with Meredith Eves, Assistant to Director of Communications, of Partners in Health.  Her organization is one slated to receive funds from Hope for Haiti Now.  She reports that Partners in Health has been helping people in Haiti for over 20 years, and they plan to continue their presence there.  Due to the earthquake, “there is going to be such a great need going forward,” Meredith told me.

Picture From Partners in Health

Meredith confirmed that the $58 million means that there will be funding available to build new hospitals and schools.  Partners in Health is especially interested in “education, healthcare, as well as clean water and the roots of health and social justice,” Meredith explained.  The wonderful support from the telethon’s viewers makes greater support possible.  Meredith continued, “This is going to be a long-term recovery.  It’s not something that will shift in the next couple of months.  Haiti was already a pretty marginalized place prior to this.” 

One example of the challenges facing Haitian people is the number of people who now live without an arm or a leg.  “And they’re living in a mountainous country,” Meredith added.  Psycho-social support, much needed following the traumatic event, will also be possible thanks to the money raised, and the people will be really well-cared for. 

“We incredibly appreciate the support and we hope that people continue to stay updated on what’s going on,” Meredith concluded.  Partners in Health’s website will continue providing coverage on Haiti and how they use the funding. 

Other organizations receiving funding also have information available on their websites.  Here’s a listing of the recipients, including links to their websites: 

Clinton Bush Haiti Foundation

 Oxfam America

 Red Cross

 UNICEF

 United Nations World Food Programme

 Yele Haiti Foundation

All of these organizations, and more, are wonderful for helping the Haitian people.  Our support makes more assistance possible.  Good for those of you who have reached out to provide a helping hand or a much-needed donation.