A number of leading charities and organisations came together this week in Newport to renew their commitment to end world hunger.
Oxfam Cymru, Cafod, Wales Africa Community Link, Christian Aid Wales and The Church in Wales and others were present at St Woolos Cathedral, Stow Hill, Newport on Sunday to celebrate the achievements of the Enough Food IF OS Cymru Campaign. 23 organisations came together this year from Wales in a nationwide campaign to end global hunger and by working together they made change happen.
Lila Haines Policy and Advocacy officer with Oxfam Cymru chaired the event on Sunday;
“The Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign had big global wins this year, gaining real results for children, for poor farmers, for countries scourged by tax dodging. Now we need to keep up the pressure to ensure world leaders stick to their promises.
I also urge people in Wales who helped persuade world leaders to act on hunger to also tell our own government that Wales must play its part at home. The most telling action we can take is to cut our own carbon emissions which worsen climate change thus depressing food production in many regions of the globe. Wales wants a world free from hunger.”
Roger Williams Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon and Radnorshire made a pledge to the IF OS Cymru campaign again this week and promised to keep pushing forward with the IF campaigns agenda. Other well known figures in Wales made their own pledges to the IF OS campaign including Reverend Dr R Alun Evans, former Head of the BBC in North Wales and the National President of Merched y Wawr Gill Griffiths.
During the IF OS Cymru campaign this yearWales made four major asks to the Welsh Government to continue to support Wales for Africa, which helps Welsh communities to support hospitals, schools and farmers in Africa. Tackle climate change through a strong Sustainable Development Bill (now referred to as the Future Generations Bill). Ensure the money Wales spends supports Fair Trade, tax transparency and environmental sustainability and invest in young people and to help them understand the causes of global hunger and climate change.
“There is enough food for everyone, but not everyone has enough food. It is unfair, unjust and totally preventable. “says Lila Haines