Today, 16 October, marks World Food Day, which seeks to highlight the plight of 870 million undernourished people in the world. It is commemorated each year to promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all.
The Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations proclaimed World Food Day in 1979 to heighten public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty.
Commemoration activities are organized in over 130 countries across the world, making it one of the most celebrated days of the United Nations calendar.
In South Africa this day is commemorated in collaboration with Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Department of Basic Education, Department of Health and other relevant stakeholders. The theme for the World Food Day 2019 is “Our actions are our Future” Healthy Diets. For a #Zero Hunger World”.
The 17th of October has been declared as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has also been observed every year since 1993. The United Nations General Assembly designated this day to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries, particularly in developing countries.
The theme - International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IPED) 2019 is: “Acting together to empower children, their families and communities to end poverty”.
The Department has played a great role in restoring dignity of the poor, vulnerable and marginalised by ensuring that communities in deprived households gain access to all government interventions for social protection, welfare, sustaining livelihoods and overall development of communities.
The Department also has its own initiatives like feeding beneficiaries through Community Nutrition and Development Centres, Early Childhood Development Centres, Home Based Care Centres, State Run Institutions namely Old Age Homes/ Luncheon Clubs, Treatment Centres and Secure Care Centres and State Funded Institutions ( Disability Centres, Service Clubs).
To commemorate these important days that also take place during Social Development Month, the Minister of Social Development Ms Lindiwe Zulu will engage with stakeholders and children at an engagement on eradicating child hunger and malnutrition.
Members of the media are invited to the event, which will take place as follows:
Date: Thursday, 17 October 2019
Venue: Mh Joosub Hall, University Of Kwazulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban
Time: 9h00
The media can RSVP by contacting:
Sharlene Naiker
Cell: 082 673 5849
E-mail: SharleneN@dsd.gov.za
Media enquiries:
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: LumkaO@dsd.gov.za
