Why hunger?

Please also see my tribute "Zambia - TNTGEP 09/10" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5qH6cSBKfE

My work at WFP Zambia ended three weeks ago. Handovers have been made and goodbyes have been said. After a debriefing at WFP headquarters in Rome, I am now back in Holland. Sitting amidst everything that I once again take for granted, I look back at what has most certainly been one of the most interesting times of my life.

When, nearly a year ago, I was informed that I'd be going to Zambia to support the World Food Programme in its fight against hunger, I was thrilled. How could I not? You don't say no to the opportunity to work for the largest humanitarian organization of the United Nations. You just don't. Especially not when you believe in its cause.

In a world where there is enough food to feed everyone, people should not have to go to bed hungry. Likewise, the fact that most of the inhabitants of this planet still live in (extreme) poverty is simply wrong. Moreover, we need to understand that this is not sustainable. This is not a matter of idealism. We cannot take for granted our relative level of comfort and look the other way when others suffer. If we want to preserve and improve our way of life and that of our children('s children), we can only do so by improving that of others. The mass poor and mass hungry that are banging at our gates will eventually make their way in - make us one of them - unless we make a serious effort to alleviate their situations.

This is not to say that my work at WFP Zambia will go down in history as one such turning point. On the contrary, statistics do not indicate any major change in levels of poverty, nor has the rate of stunting been reduced during my time in the country. But my experience has made me realize one thing: that through the joint efforts of individuals and public-private partnerships - such as the one between TNT and WFP, such a future may just become a bit more feasible. These are partnerships of mutual support, trust, and most of all, understanding. And it is through an understanding of that which we have in common that we can all contribute to moving the world.