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How the Easter season can inspire meaningful action on global food shortages | Opinion

By William Lambers Special to The Sacramento Bee
The Friendship Train of 1947 was the idea of columnist Drew Pearson. Americans were asked to donate food to hungry Europeans. Fresno’s gift was a carload of raisins and dried figs.
The Friendship Train of 1947 was the idea of columnist Drew Pearson. Americans were asked to donate food to hungry Europeans. Fresno’s gift was a carload of raisins and dried figs. www.thefriendshiptrain1947.org, courtesy of Dorothy R. Scheele

In 1946, right before Easter, a newspaper headline read “If Europe’s hungry haunt you at Easter, here’s how to help.” This was just one year after World War II, which left massive food shortages amid the destruction. The article gave tips on how to prevent food waste and be an advocate for the hungry overseas.

The Easter spirit should be one of saving lives from starvation. We cannot forget that many Americans made a difference in stopping famine in Europe after World War II — whether it was preventing food waste or donating to overseas relief, there was something everyone could do to save lives.

Opinion

This Easter, that same citizen spirit is needed to save our global food aid programs from major cuts in funding. The United States Agency for International Development, our lead humanitarian agency, was abruptly shut down by the Trump administration. What’s left is disorganization and chaos for charities that partner with USAID.

The Friendship Train of 1947 was the idea of columnist Drew Pearson. Americans were asked to donate food to hungry Europeans.
The Friendship Train of 1947 was the idea of columnist Drew Pearson. Americans were asked to donate food to hungry Europeans. The Friendship Train of 1947 website, courtesy of Dorothy R. Scheele

This is happening at a time when hunger is reaching emergency levels — rates we have not seen since the end of World War II. There are 343 million people worldwide experiencing severe hunger, according to the United Nations World Food Programme.

“The scale of the current global hunger and malnutrition crisis is enormous,” warns the UN.

In war-torn Sudan, famine has struck parts of the country, and children are eating grass to stay alive. It will likely get much worse, especially if humanitarian aid is curtailed. In Gaza, residents are in danger of famine as humanitarian aid is blocked from entering the region. And a forgotten war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is causing large-scale hunger. Refugees in Bangladesh are at risk of starvation; conflicts in Syria and Yemen are causing increases in hunger and chaos; and Haiti has seen terrible unrest and is suffering from food shortages. People are starving to death.

Refugees from wars around the globe are fleeing to neighboring countries. But if we cut back on food aid, how can we help?

We must increase global food aid funding to keep up with international emergencies. Global food aid is a relatively tiny part of the federal budget (not even 1%). The Food for Peace program, which was started by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1960, is in dire need of a funding boost. U.S. farms are major contributors to Food for Peace.

In the past, Easter has inspired us to act in the fight against world hunger. It should do so today, too. Call on your congressional representatives and tell them to increase funding for world hunger relief.

William Lambers is an author who partnered with the UN World Food Program on the book “Ending World Hunger.”
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