UN fund-raising drive takes aim at starvation
Published: 30 Sep. 2013, 21:13
The United Nations World Food Programme Korea kicked off its first “Fighting Hunger Worldwide Night” fund-raiser last month to raise awareness and help fight starvation.
About 100 diplomats, businessmen and government officials attended the event at United Kingdom Ambassador Scott Wightman’s residence in central Seoul on Sept. 13, which included a presentation about the program, a beneficiary concert and raffle.
Former Prime Minister Jung Woon-chan, chairman of the UNWFP Fighting Hunger Worldwide Night Committee, said, “The UNWFP is the largest humanitarian organization in the world, which reaches 1 billion people in 92 nations.”
Jung recalled how Korea went from a recipient, starving nation in the aftermath of the 1950-53 Korean War to a donor nation.
“I believe Korea provides a good example of what the UNWFP is trying to achieve,” he said.
Korea received aid from the World Food Programme for about 20 years, until 1984.
Jung added that Korea held a membership on the 36-member World Food Programme executive board between 2011-12.
According to the UNWFP, about one in eight people do not receive enough food to be healthy and lead an active life.
Andrew Dalgleish, deputy head of the UK Embassy, said, “Those who need help are many, and to solve this problem global society must come together regardless of nation or state.”
The international charity gathering, he said, aims to save and aid lives by providing meals to hungry children and in times of crises, create self-reliance and income generation for poor communities, and improve their standards of living.
“In this world of plenty, no one really should go hungry. Everybody should have the right to food,” said Lim Hyung-joon, a World Food Programme Korea official.
“And this would boost economic growth, prosperity, peace and security and reduce poverty.”
BY SARAH KIM [[email protected]]
About 100 diplomats, businessmen and government officials attended the event at United Kingdom Ambassador Scott Wightman’s residence in central Seoul on Sept. 13, which included a presentation about the program, a beneficiary concert and raffle.
Former Prime Minister Jung Woon-chan, chairman of the UNWFP Fighting Hunger Worldwide Night Committee, said, “The UNWFP is the largest humanitarian organization in the world, which reaches 1 billion people in 92 nations.”
Jung recalled how Korea went from a recipient, starving nation in the aftermath of the 1950-53 Korean War to a donor nation.
“I believe Korea provides a good example of what the UNWFP is trying to achieve,” he said.
Korea received aid from the World Food Programme for about 20 years, until 1984.
Jung added that Korea held a membership on the 36-member World Food Programme executive board between 2011-12.
According to the UNWFP, about one in eight people do not receive enough food to be healthy and lead an active life.
Andrew Dalgleish, deputy head of the UK Embassy, said, “Those who need help are many, and to solve this problem global society must come together regardless of nation or state.”
The international charity gathering, he said, aims to save and aid lives by providing meals to hungry children and in times of crises, create self-reliance and income generation for poor communities, and improve their standards of living.
“In this world of plenty, no one really should go hungry. Everybody should have the right to food,” said Lim Hyung-joon, a World Food Programme Korea official.
“And this would boost economic growth, prosperity, peace and security and reduce poverty.”
BY SARAH KIM [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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