‘One-third of under-fives die of hunger, disease’

Press, 12 June 1978, Page 9

‘One-third of under-fives die of hunger, disease’

NZPA-Reuter Mexico City I Nearly 40 nations will meet in Mexico City for world food talks today faced with a grim warning that up to one-third of the world’s children are dying of hunger and disease before the age of five. The warning, in a draft declaration of the World Food Council, is accompanied by attacks on developed and developing nations alike for far too slow progress on fundamental food problems. It says that world food production rose by just 2 per cent last year — 1 per cent in developing countries — and adds: “The current food situation is very disturbing.” The 36-national council will decide whether to adopt the

I draft, drawn up last week by its officials, as a final declara- , don. . About 25 Ministers, including the United States 1 Agriculture Secretary (Mr ! Robert Bergland), are expected at the talks, council sources said. According to the draft., be’ween one-third and one- ; | half of children who survive ‘ bevond the age of five suffer I from moderate or severe ; malnutrition. At least 100.000 children a year go blind because of vitamin-A deficiency, it says. I Developing countries are attacked for not concentratl ing resources on producing! more food and developed I countries for not increasing > aid.

The draft calls on developing countries to develop specific! goals and to work out ways; to share income and foodl , supplies more fairly. Developed nations, it says, i should make urgent efforts! to reach the target of giving 0.7 per cent of their gross! i national product in aid — and get food aid up to ! SUSB3OOM worldwide. It suggests that a confer- ! ence should be held next Februarv to agree on an international plan. The President of Mexico i ! (Mr Jose Lopez Portillo)! 'will open the first ses-] i sion and some council I ■'Sources said he might! I! call for anv cuts in arma-l [iments spending to be linked I to increased food spending.