It was 1922 when a plea for help from the town of Berdiansk in the Ukraine reached America. One of the worst famines in history had struck Ukraine and Russia. Millions were facing starvation. Their only hope was America.
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It was on September 25, 1947 when President Harry Truman held a news conference at the White House about a “critical situation calling for immediate action by every American.” A severe hunger crisis had emerged following a summer of severe drought in Europe and also at home.
At the news conference, Truman discussed a report he received from the Cabinet Committee on World Food Programs, which had been monitoring food supplies. Truman read,
The Committee states that adverse crop developments, including those of recent weeks, both in North America and in Europe, make apparent a food shortage even worse than a year ago. The losses from heavy frosts in northwestern Europe last winter have been increased by a general European drought this spring and summer. Any significant cut in the already low rations in those countries will have most serious consequences for their rehabilitation.”
At this time in history, nations in Europe were trying to recover from World War II. While the fighting had stopped, hunger proliferated after the war. Humanitarian aid from America was crucial for keeping Europe afloat until they could rebuild.
Truman announced a Citizen’s Food Committee on this day, which would encourage Americans to conserve more food. In addition, the food report set in a motion a chain of events which culminated in the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe.
An interim food aid package was signed in December and that preceded the Marshall Plan. In addition, an outpouring of donations from Americans gave European numerous food packages during the coming winter months.
Secretary of State George Marshall, who crafted the Marshall Plan, was a member of the Cabinet Committee on World Food Programs. Both Marshall and Truman would make speeches that fall emphasizing the need for food as the basis of reconstruction and peace. That message must not be lost with today’s leadership as they seek to build peace and stability in suffering parts of the globe.
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Bread for the World is praising both Republicans and Democrats for introducing legislation to fight world hunger. But now Congress must get to work and pass the bills for them to take effect.
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Food aid and improved crop production has spared South Sudan from famine, despite on ongoing conflict. However, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warns that by no means is the crisis over.
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Farmers in developing countries are increasingly feeling the effects of climate change. When drought or other climate shocks hit, it can set off a domino effect of tragedy for farmers and their communities. But a new program gives them insurance, protection against disasters.
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The UN World Food Programme (WFP) took part in a house-to-house Ebola sensitization campaign this week in Sierra Leone.
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Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is feeding the hungry in war-torn Iraq. Around 1.8 million people have been displaced by the attacks from the terrorist army ISIL.
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To escape the terrorist army ISIL, more Iraqis are fleeing to neighboring countries Jordan and Turkey.
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UNICEF sent out a warning today that “tens of thousands of children under the age of five remain at risk of malnutrition-related death in South Sudan.” The war in South Sudan, between the government and opposition groups, has destroyed food supplies and internally displaced 1.4 million people.
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More than one million Iraqis are receiving aid from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). These starving war victims have been displaced from their homes by the terrorist army ISIL, who has launched attacks throughout Iraq.
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Author William Lambers 