  We need to raise $2,010 to continue operating. All donations go directly to operating costs.  |
 |
|
We need to raise $2,010 to continue operating. All donations go directly to operating costs. |
|
| About | Contact | Subscribe | Calendar | Publish | Donate |
|---|
|
More
 $37.00 donated in past month
|
International | Global Justice and Anti-Capitalism | Health, Housing, and Public ServicesAs Food Riots Break Out Across the Globe, Raj Patel Details "The Hidden Battle for the World Food System"
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 :Global food prices have risen dramatically, adding a new level of danger to the crisis of world hunger. In Africa, food riots have swept across the continent, with recent protests in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mauritania and Senegal. In most of West Africa, the price of food has risen by 50 percent ---- in Sierra Leone, 300 percent. In the United States there has been a 41 percent surge in prices for wheat, corn, rice and other cereals over the past six months. We speak with Raj Patel, author of "Stuffed and Starved: The Hidden Battle for the World Food System.? For our last segment, we look at the dramatic rise in global food prices, adding a new level of danger to the crisis of world hunger. In Africa, food riots have swept across the continent, with recent protests in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mauritania and Senegal. In most of West Africa, the price of food has risen by fifty percent——in Sierra Leone, three hundred percent. Last week, African finance ministers warned the rise in international food prices “poses significant threats to Africa”s growth, peace and security.” Other protests have been held this past week in countries including Cambodia, Indonesia, and Egypt. In Haiti, at least five people have died in riots over fifty percent price hikes for rice, beans and fruit since last year. The demonstrations continued Monday outside the national palace in Port-au-Prince.
Last month, the World Food Program issued a rare appeal for an additional $500 million dollars in funding. For its part, the Bush administration has reduced emergency food aid. Last month the US Agency for International Development said that a 41 percent surge in prices for wheat, corn, rice and other cereals over the past six months has generated a $120 million budget shortfall that will force the agency to reduce emergency operations. What is causing this food price hike, and what can be done to reverse it? Raj Patel explores this question in his new book, "Stuffed and Starved: The Hidden Battle for the World Food System.” Raj Patel is a writer, activist and former policy analyst with Food First. He has formerly worked for the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, and the United Nations, and has also protested them on four continents. He joins me from San Francisco. Raj Patel, writer, activist and former policy analyst with Food First. He has formerly worked for the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, and the United Nations, and has also protested them on four continents. He has a new book coming out on April 25th. Its called “Stuffed and Starved: The Hidden Battle for the World Food System.” LISTEN ONLINE
Add Your Comments
|