World hunger and us

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 40, 18 March 1986, Page 12

World hunger and us

Monday 17 March marked the beginning of World Hunger Week, a time when we are asked to reflect, empathise and help change the plight of many people. Over recent months the media has brought home to us the very real problem of world hunger. Scenes from famine-stricken Ethiopia of both young and old dying of starvation and people who have walked hundreds of miles to find food and medical aid have shocked us. This is Africa today. Yes there have been changes but this is no short-term problem. It is going to take years of hard work and sacrificial giving to see these people back on their feet. It is estimated that some six million people will need international assistance this

year and that is just Ethiopia. Should it be this way — millions without food, water and hope? What should the world's priorities be in regard to spending? We spend millions of dollars on space exploration, nuclear testing and arms and some of the larger nations have huge stockpiles of food. Even we in New Zealand have dumped or destroyed valuable food. Can we wipe out world hunger? Yes, I believe so. The United Nations estimates it would take $ 1 00 billion to do this while the world may be spending over $700 billion on weapons. How about us here in New Zealand? How mueh did we spend on alcohol and gambling? What can we do to help? We can participate in this weekend's 40-hour famine,

sponsor someone else in the famine or volunteer to serve in one of these African countries. Always remember, "to whom much is given much is required."

Kevin L.

Martin