Every October 16, we celebrate World Food Day with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This international day makes it possible to sensitize the population to the fight against hunger with the aim of a more equitable distribution of the planet’s food resources.
The holding of this World Day is crucial, knowing that the number of hungry people in the world increased by 60 million between 2014 and 2020, this being mainly explained by conflicts and climate-related shocks, as well as by slowing economic growth. Added to these factors today is the Covid-19 pandemic, in response to which many governments have restricted the free movement of people and goods. Farmers therefore found it difficult to bring their products to market and had to make do with essential inputs such as seeds and fertilizers. This has inevitably resulted in higher food prices. Finally, a significant part of the population has suffered a loss of employment or income.
And if one of the UN’s sustainable development goals is to end world hunger by 2030, we are far from it. If the current curves are prolonged, 840 million men and women in the world will suffer from the end on that date.
According to the FAO, agricultural practices must above all be sustainable. This means that they preserve and protect the health, climate and natural resources of our planet, rather than deteriorating and depleting them.
To counter the increase in hunger in Burkina Faso, Morija has set up Centers for Recovery and Nutritional Education (CREN). These centers take care of children suffering from malnutrition, but not only. In a long-term perspective, they educate mothers on nutrition, health and hygiene and ensure regular monitoring of the children. About 12,000 children are followed each year.
