The escalating global hunger crisis is being fueled by a combination of conflict, climate and economic shocks—resulting in close to 350 million people not having enough food to eat across 79 countries, more than double the pre-pandemic number.
Women and children are disproportionately affected in this crisis, with girls not only eating last and least, but also suffering from the knock-on impacts to their rights in the form of gender-based violence, child marriage and barriers to education.
When children do no have enough to eat they are at risk of severe acute malnutrition, they don't have the energy to run and play, they have trouble concentrating and learning, their muscles start wasting away and their organs begin to fail.
No child should experience this. We need global commitments to stop this hunger crisis in its tracks and save children's lives. Sign the petition and urge Prime Minister Trudeau to prioritize the global hunger crisis at the upcoming G7 Summit!
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,
I am writing to urge you to prioritize the global hunger crisis at the upcoming G7 Summit and subsequent global meetings to demonstrate Canada's role as a global leader in saving children's lives and advocating for their rights.
Nearly 350 million people are acutely food insecure today. Five times as many people are living in famine-like conditions compared to 2021, many of whom live in Afghanistan, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.
While concerted efforts in the last two years - including through funding by Canada and other donor states - have managed to hold multiple famine declarations at bay in 2022, the prospects for 2023 are grim.
Malnutrition is also particularly dangerous for children under age 5 and adolescent girls who are pregnant or breastfeeding, at a time when at least 30 million children suffer from acute malnutrition.
I urge you to use the upcoming G7 Summit and subsequent global meetings to:
1. Ensure that famine prevention and response is a core part of the 2023 G7 agenda and publicly report on promises made in the 2021 G7 Famine Compact and call on G7 allies to do the same.
2. Commit new funding to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs and build resilience in the world's worst hunger hotspots, prioritizing age and gender to ensure that the most vulnerable children and women are reached with life-saving support.
3. Invest in social protection and support livelihood programs there are more economic opportunities for people living in places where there are food security issues, and increase investment in climate-resilient local food systems to make sure that children and families have access to enough nutritious food.
Yours sincerely,
[your name]
