Humanitarian Coalition Launches 2015 “Roadmap to End Global Hunger” To Shape U.S. Policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today a coalition of 33 humanitarian organizations and advocacy groups launched a Policy Brief outlining a comprehensive approach to solving global hunger and malnutrition.Through the Brief, the Roadmap Coalition encourages the administration and Congress to continue building on what they’ve achieved. With strong legislation, effective programs and adequate funding, there is hope for the elimination of hunger around the world.

“Building on the history of strong bipartisan support in this area, Congress is constructing the right food and nutrition security programs and the right legislation to enable us to improve the lives of millions,” said David Beckmann, President of Bread for the World and the Alliance to End Hunger.

First developed in 2009 in the wake of a global food crisis when there were 925 million hungry people, the Roadmap to End Global Hunger presented a comprehensive U.S. strategy to increase food and nutrition security over five years. While today there are 120 million less hungry people, there is still work to be done to reach the remaining 805 million hungry people, many of whom are burdened by natural disaster and conflict.

The Roadmap Policy Brief calls for a multi-pronged approach to solving hunger and malnutrition that stands on four pillars – emergency response, safety nets, nutrition and agriculture. Emphasized in the Brief is the cross-cutting nature of the pillars and smart programming that is gender sensitive and weaves in natural resource management.

“Malnutrition remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The fate of entire communities and the future of our world depends on our ability to solve global hunger and malnutrition,” said Rick Leach, President and CEO of World Food Program USA. “The time to act is now.”

The Roadmap Policy Brief will officially be launched at the International Food Policy Research Institute on April 23, 2015 from 12:15 pm to 1:45 pm.

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The Roadmap to End Global Hunger 2015 Policy Brief, guided by the mission to reduce global poverty and hunger through effective policies and international programs, was signed by 33 organizations.

Those include: 1,000 Days, Action Against Hunger, Alliance to End Hunger, American Jewish World Service, Bread for the World, CARE USA, Catholic Relief Services, Chicago Council, Church World Service, Concern Worldwide U.S., Congressional Hunger Center, Counterpart International, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Fabretto Children’s Foundation, Farm Journal Foundation, Global Volunteers, GrainPro Inc., Helen Keller International, Hunger Solutions Institute at Auburn University, InterAction, Islamic Relief USA, Joint Council on International Children’s Services, Mercy Corps, NCBA CLUSA, Outreach, Inc., Oxfam America, Save the Children, Stop Hunger Now, The Borgen Project, The Hunger Project, Women Thrive Worldwide, World Food Program USA and World Vision.

For more information, contact:

Aliya Karim, World Food Program USA

akarim@wfpusa.org; 202-627-3934