Civil society organizations commemorate World Food Day
2009-10-14

The World Food Day celebration this month of October is again an opportune time to converge, be updated on poverty and hunger realities, share experiences and initiatives, and collectively discuss possible actions towards poverty alleviation and food security.

To realize this purpose, the Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM), Inc., in partnership with PAKISAMA-Mindanao, Luntiaw-Mindanaw, Indigenous Peoples Development Center and ALTERDEV Services Foundation, Inc. will conduct a forum focusing on the theme “Strengthening Local Initiatives towards Food Security and Poverty Alleviation” on 15 October 2009 at UCCP Seminar Hall, Calo Street, Butuan City.

The forum will discuss issues on poverty and hunger situation, mining and plantation industries, climate change and local initiatives on food security and poverty alleviation. Expected to attend are representatives of various civil society organizations, government units and other interested groups.

The World Food Day celebration started in 1979 upon the birth of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Usually done every 15^th of October, it aims “to heighten public awareness of the plight of the world's hungry and malnourished and to encourage people worldwide to take action against hunger.”

With Ondoy and Pepeng’s recent onslaught in Luzon and the changing climate pattern, this year’s celebration should be a wake up call for individuals to realize the importance of rationalizing land uses, forest and watershed conservation and protection.

The forum organizers aim to raise awareness on issues related to poverty and hunger in Mindanao as well as encourage more initiatives on food security and poverty alleviation among targeted participants particularly from CARAGA Region.

Based on NSCB’s report on 2006, six out of ten poorest provinces in the country are in Mindanao, three of which namely: Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte are in CARAGA. Also, the Social Weather Station survey last June 2009 stated that 62 percent of the Mindanao population consider themselves poor while 47 percent rated themselves as food-poor.

By: AFRIM

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