QUETTA: Civil society leaders and social activists have called on the government to take concrete steps to improve nutrition for malnourished children and ensure policies that support farmers who provide healthy food to communities.

Speaking at a seminar organised by Hope Balochistan, in collaboration with Welthungerhilfe, a non-governmental organisation in Germany, to mark the World Food Day on Wednesday, they said that not only the government, but members of civil society should also fulfil their responsibility for improving the food quality for the sake of children.

The chief executive of Hope Balochistan, Kareem Baloch, while speaking on the occasion, highlighted alarming statistics from global reports, noting that 9 million people die from hunger each year, with 25,000 daily fatalities.

He said that 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted annually, and an average person in Pakistan wastes around 250 grams of food at weddings and other events.

He said that the UN’s World Food Programme has marked World Food Day annually since 1997 to raise awareness of the importance of food and the need to prevent wastage. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (zero hunger) requires halting food waste.

Gul Khan Naseer Baloch, Head of Programmes at Hope Balochistan, said that while Pakistan is rich in food resources, unnecessary use and poor planning create challenges.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

To drag a critical ally like Saudi Arabia into unfounded conspiracies is detrimental to Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...