Free the Hungry Billions: Nepal

Activists taking actions

On October16, 2009, the World Food Day, “Stand Up” campaign was held at Tudikhel of Kathmandu, Nepal with the slogan ‘Stand Up, Take Action, and End Poverty Now’. Hundred of people participated in the Stand UP campaign which was an appeal to world leaders to take immediate action to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger and ensure basic services and rights to all. According to one survey, 3.4 million people in Nepal and one billion people across the globe are suffering from extreme poverty and are compelled to go to bed hungry every night. This movement was a reminder for 189 state representatives across the world who promised in 2000 to eradicate poverty by 2015 (or for the millennium campaign ‘End Poverty 2015’).

Furthermore, the campaign was also a pledge action to heads of state across the globe to achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV&AIDS, Malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and global partnership for Development. Participants also emphasized on various aspects of climate change and its impact on food and poverty. Participants in the campaign were from civil societies, right based organizations, students, political parties, business men, singer and artists who amplified their voice to end poverty and ensure equality. They appealed to ‘Free the Hungry Billions’ and to make the world ‘Hunger Free’.

Earth Concern Nepal Desk