But there is cause for hope. In fact, there's a very real chance we could be living through the last famine in human history if we act right now.
It will take billions of dollars in emergency aid to keep 750,000 people in East Africa alive until the next successful harvest. However, if the governments in these countries, supported by aid donors like Australia, had taken action earlier and given farmers the support they needed to boost agricultural output, thousands of lives would have been saved.
Join the call to make this the last famine in human history: www.lastfamine.org.au
In fact, supporting famers to boost their own food output and adjust to changing weather patterns is significantly cheaper than responding with emergency aid once crisis strikes. Figures from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation show every dollar invested in agriculture this year, saves $10 in humanitarian aid next year.
If we are to stop hunger spiralling out of control and make this the last famine the world ever experiences we need governments around the world to support the small scale farmers, particularly women, who produce the majority of the food in developing countries.
The Australian government has a unique opportunity to show true leadership by increasing the portion of our aid that goes to supporting farmers. This will allow small scale farmers to grow their own food today, so they don't need to rely on handouts tomorrow.
Send a message directly to the Prime Minister and forward to your friends: www.lastfamine.org.au
