We must stop pretending that massive world problems do not exist and that problems that do not affect our lives directly by entering our personal Duke bubble should not concern us. Almost 800 million people in underdeveloped areas of the world go hungry every day. In America alone, some 30 million people are undernourished. Fifteen to 20 million people die each year of hunger-related causes, including diseases brought on by lowered resistance due to malnutrition. Three out of every four of these deaths are children below the age of five. And yet, there is no good reason why anyone in the world should be short of food. Enough food is available to provide at least 4.3 pounds of food per person each day worldwide. Why is this happening?
We must engage in conversation about these issues. Please join Duke Red Cross and Duke-Durham Hunger Alliance at the Hunger Banquet, Wednesday Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. (McClendon Tower fifth Floor) for dinner and an insightful large-group discussion on global hunger and other health issues afflicting the developing world. Interesting and inspiring panelists include Tony Brown, Public Policy; Julie Lawhorn, NC Food Bank; and David Rice, Human Rights Activist. Tickets can be purchased Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 14 and 15, on the Bryan Center walkway or Monday, Nov. 14, at the Marketplace. All proceeds go towards the effort to combat health problems locally and globally.
It is time to take action and fight for the 1,200 African children who die each day from measles and for the two-thirds of the world that is underfed or starving. It’s OUR world, OUR responsibility—it’s time to stop ignoring these massive problems—we must engage in conversation about these issues, and then ACTION.
Christine McMahon
Duke-Durham Hunger Alliance
Karthik Balasubramanian
International Services
Duke Red Cross
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