The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held a commemorative event for World Food Day at its headquarters in Rome on Wednesday, with the FAO head underscoring that access to sufficient food is a fundamental human right.
The global event was themed "Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future: Leave No One Behind."
Despite advancements in agricultural practices, approximately 733 million people worldwide are still facing hunger. This staggering statistic translates to one in every 11 individuals lacking adequate nutrition, according to reports from the World Food Programme and other international organizations.
"I am calling on all of us to renew our commitment of building more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable agrifood systems that can nourish the world. Let us remember that there cannot be food security without peace. Peace is a prerequisite for food security, and the right to food is a basic human right," Qu Dongyu, the FAO Director-General said in his opening remarks.
As part of World Food Week, which runs from this Monday to Friday, the FAO is hosting a series of events, including the World Food Forum, an exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the FAO, and the Junior World Food Week focused on food security awareness. Additionally, hundreds of events are scheduled worldwide, aimed at mobilizing action from various sectors to ensure food security for all.
FAO holds global ceremony marking World Food Day 2024 in Rome
The influx of refugees from Lebanon is imposing an additional burden on the Syrian government as it already struggles with Western sanctions, crippled services and limited resources.
Zainab Murad, a 24-year-old Lebanese who fled the extensive Israeli strikes on east Lebanon with her family, recounted the memories of a four-day journey to safety in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN).
"It was a dark night for us. The bombardments started indiscriminately. Given that we are a family and we have children who will be frightened, we had to leave our house and come to safety," she said.
Zainab, like many other Lebanese, found refuge in a makeshift shelter in Damascus that can only provide them with limited food and medical aid, as the country itself is still struggling to get back on its feet.
"We came here bringing only some clothes. We do not have a stove or culinary tools, and we also have to wash our clothes by hand. And we eat only whatever food that is served," she said.
Volunteers and aid workers in the country said they are eager to help but lack sufficient resources.
"We have been under sanctions for 13 years. We are facing difficulties in providing water, fuel, food, and even powdered milk for children. The people here are still wearing summer clothes, and we are approaching winter, so we do not know how to provide them with winter clothes," said Abdulnaser Khateeb, supervisor of the shelter.
With 25 percent of Lebanese territory under Israeli evacuation orders, the influx of thousands of Lebanese into Syria per day is expected to continue. Calls have been made to scale up the assistance to Syria.
"I will launch a funding appeal for donors to help us respond to the situation and to give us the necessary funds to address the situation now and in the next few months," said Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The death toll in Lebanon from the ongoing Israeli attacks had risen to 2,367 since the outbreak of the latest round of Hezbollah-Israeli conflict on October 8, 2023, while injuries went up to 11,088, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Wednesday.
Influx of Lebanese refugees adds pressure on Syria's already dire economy
