World Food Day brings attention to the plight of the world's
hungry and undernourished and provides an opportunity for a
deeper understanding of the complex solutions. This year’s theme
is investing in agriculture for food security. “In the
developing world one to two per cent of all children under five,
or approximately 13 million, suffer from severe acute
undernutrition,” said Ann M. Veneman, UNICEF’s Executive
Director. “These children have a much higher risk of dying,
including from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and
pneumonia, than a well nourished child. Agriculture production
on the national and local level is critical for making
sustainable progress.” New evidence shows that if detected
early, children suffering from severe acute undernutrition can
be effectively treated within their homes and communities,
without being admitted to health facilities, sometimes miles
away from their homes. “Though the total numbers of hungry and
undernourished children can be disheartening, the reality is