Scotland has vital role in ending global hunger

Scotland has a vital role in the campaign to end global hunger, Michael Moore and Lynne Featherstone said on a visit to Glasgow recently.

The Secretary of State for Scotland and the International Development Minister spoke as they attended a roundtable with the Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland (NIDOS).

Scotland’s aid agencies outlined their key issues and priorities with the Ministers and they discussed what more needs to be done to end global hunger.

As part of the visit, they were also met by SCIAF and a number of schoolchildren to discuss their role in the Enough Food for Everyone IF Campaign, which highlights the persistence of global hunger, despite recent progress in reducing poverty worldwide.

Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore said:

“I welcomed the opportunity to meet with Scotland’s aid agencies and school children campaigning to end world hunger.

“Global hunger is unacceptable in the 21st century. The UK Government is listening to these concerns and is committed to tackling this issue head on.

“Whilst we are living in difficult economic times, things are so much more tougher for the world’s poorest people. Nearly a billion people around the world do not get enough food. And lack of nutrition holds back the growth and development of millions of children.

“Scotland, through the UK has played a leading role on this issue including using our presidency of the G8 to highlight what more needs to be done to achieve the collective goals to end world hunger.”

International Development Minister Lynne Featherstone said:

“Today’s meeting with NIDOS demonstrates how Scotland is committed to helping the world’s poorest people tackle the chronic issues of undernutrition.

“The UK Government supports Scottish aid agencies so they can address the inequalities of poverty around the globe. In particular, we support Malawi, a country which has close historic ties to Scotland, to lift itself out of poverty, aim for economic growth and improve women’s rights.

“In addition to the £5.75m that Scotland gives Malawi through the Scottish Government, Scotland also contributes through the £115m of targeted UK support: with the UK our money and our shared values go further. Helping poorer countries develop economically benefits us all.

“2013 is a crucial year for international development. It is the year we host the G8 and the year in which we will become the first country to keep the pledge on 0.7%. The UK’s commitment to this pledge shows that we are not a nation who is prepared to stand by when other countries are facing extreme poverty.”