Avian influenza (H1N1) and global food shortages linked, says UN system coodinator

David Nabarro, UN system-wide coordinator for avian and human influenza briefed reporters on the latest commitments coming from the G-8 meeting last week in Italy.  The Secretary General’s proposal on avian Influenza and food shortage was fully adopted with strong political consensus. The SG’s main objective was to get governments to commit to “express(ing) global solidarity in regards to the H1N1 virus and to provide vaccines as needed to countries affected.”

“We are pleased that food security and vaccine assistance is back and central on the international agenda” Nabarro said.

Global food shortages are affecting billions of people and hardest hit are developing countries in particular in the sub-Saharan African region.

From reducing hunger to investments in agriculture by boosting the development of  500 million small farmers across the world, G-8 leaders intend to allocate all of the over 20 billion pledged to developing countries. The Organization also hopes to build a modern surveillance systems to monitor cases of disease and illness.

When prompted by TRNS on the failure of the G-8 to adopt a clear climate change agenda, Nabarro agreed that rain fall and new seasonal changes will greatly influence the outcome of agricultural development for small farmers and food insecurity as a whole.  He added that a G-8 accountability report has been initiated to ensure a mechanism is in place to hold countries accountable to their pledges.