Food crisis: events around the world

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Democratic Republic of Congo: radio broadcast (, from 2008-05-25 14:55 to 2008-05-25 14:55)

GCAP DRC organized a radio broadcast on 25 May, challenging the government to commit to strategies to stop the food crisis.

Afghanistan: Press conference on food crisis (Kabul, Afghanistan, from 2008-05-29 14:50 to 2008-05-29 14:50)

GCAP Afghanistan will hold a press conference on May 29th in Kabul, and a gathering on June 1 with civil society organizations, women’s groups media and parliamentarians. They have also produced a short film clip which has been broadcast on 2 television channels.

El Salvador: forum and banners (El Salvador, from 2008-05-31 00:00 to 2008-05-31 00:00)

GCAP El Salvador will hold a forum on May 31st and on June 1 will place large banners around the city

Kenya: Concert to Stop the Food Crisis (Kenya, from 2008-05-31 13:00 to 2008-05-31 15:00)

Kenya Food Security Network, member of GCAP Kenya, will hold a concert on Saturday 31st May from 1pm to 3pm. Members of GCAP Kenya have met with officials from the Ministry of Finance to present GCAP demands on food security in relation to the budget.

Stop the Food Crisis Mobilization

On June 3-5, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) will host the High Level Conference on World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy in Rome. It will be attended by the UN Secretary General, several Heads of State including President Lula of Brazil and President Sarkozy of France we well as World Bank and IMF representatives, where they will discuss ways to address the current global food crisis. GCAP is calling for a global day of action on or around June 1, to demand that governments Act Now to End Poverty and Inequality and Stop the Food Crisis.

Indonesia: demostration and trainings (Indonesia, from 2008-06-01 00:00 to 2008-06-30 00:00)

GCAP Indonesia will mobilize from now until the end of June, with trainings for peasant activists and women’s groups in regions across the country. On June 1 INFID will mobilize in front of the Presidential Palace Jakarta to bring attention to the issue of increased fuel prices, the food crisis and poverty.

Pakistan: Seminar on the food crisis (Freedom Campus, Lahore, Pakistan, from 2008-06-01 00:00 to 2008-06-01 00:00)

Anjuman Asiaye Awam and Bonded labor Liberation front Pakistan will hold a seminar on the food crisis on June 1 at Freedom Campus in Lahore.

Afghanistan: Civil society gathering on food crisis (Kabul, Afghanistan, from 2008-06-01 00:00 to 2008-06-01 00:00)

GCAP Afghanistan will hold a gathering on June 1 with civil society organizations, women’s groups, media and parliamentarians. They have also produced a short film clip which has been broadcast on 2 television channels.

Portugal: Walk the World march (Portugal, from 2008-06-01 00:00 to 2008-06-01 00:00)

GCAP Portugal will organize an e-petition which will be handed over to the government before the FAO meeting. They will also have stands with volunteers to collect signature and will be joining the “Walk the World” march on June 1

Azerbaijan: Q&A Radio programme (Azerbaijan, from 2008-06-01 00:00 to 2008-06-01 00:00)

Azerbaijan National Coalition on GCAP broadcast a radio programme dedicated to the 1st of June.

Micah Challenge International: special services on Sunday (, from 2008-06-01 14:00 to 2008-06-01 14:00)

Micah Challenge International will be calling on members around the world to hold special services on Sunday 1st June on the food crisis.

Philippines: workshops and forum on Food Sovereignty (Philippines, from 2008-06-02 00:00 to 2008-06-12 00:00)

GCAP Philippines will hold a series of workshops from June 2 to 12, culminating in a forum on food sovereignty and will issue a press statement on June 1. The campaign has already had successful media coverage on the issue which has led to positive reactions from the government.

Last grain in the bucket….?

The current food crisis has hit several millions in the world, mainly in developing countries with already weak economies. Currently the crisis is badly affecting 800 million people (over 70% women) that were already affected by chronic hunger. The price of vegetable oils is up 97 percent in the first three months of 2008. The price of wheat is up 87 percent, dairy products by 58 percent, rice by 46 percent. There is a recognised food crisis in at least 45 countries. It is ironic that out of 2.13 bn tonnes of food produced annual only 1.01bn is grown for feeding people. Developing countries could face an increase of 33% in aggregate food import bills this year if trends persist - this is too much too quick.

Singapore: radio broadcast and action on biofuels (Singapore, from 2008-06-03 00:00 to 2008-06-03 00:00)

ONE Singapore will be on radio on June 3 to discuss the food crisis, and will be holding an event with the arrival of a bio-fuel powered boat in Singapore next week to highlight issues around climate change, poverty and the biofuels debate

Is there really a world food crisis?

Yes, 100 million people hungry, 800 million more living in extreme poverty. Especially women, children and the sick and elderly are dying, 25000 a day. That is the whole population of London and Paris in a year. All of the Dutch famished and dead in less than two years.