into the mouths of babe

As children are the future of our world, their health, happiness and wellbeing should be of primary importance to us all

WORDS CATRIONA GILLIES LAWSON

Each year, malnutrition kills
over three million children
under the age of fiveThe sudden emergence of a food crisis in the developing world is now threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions of families – in particular children, the most vulnerable to malnutrition and disease.

StarKids, the Jetstar partnership with World Vision Australia, was formed to raise money to help secure a healthier and happier future for vulnerable children like these. No child should suffer from lack of food.

The recent rise in food prices is the result of forces that have been developing over many years. The World Bank estimates that it could push another 100 million people deeper into poverty. Of these, 10% will be under five – and they need our help now.

It’s a harsh and often unrelenting cycle. In some countries, food prices have increased by 20% and in others, like Somalia, they’ve increased a staggering 300%. Increases like this also hurt families in rich, developed nations, but it’s the poor who always suffer first and the most.

Rice is the staple diet for nearly
half of the world’s populationWorldwide, malnutrition already contributes to the deaths of more than 3.7 million children under five every year and it has also affected the growth of over a million pre-school children in developing countries. Tragically, these children are the ones most likely to suffer and die from disease.

Rice, the staple diet for nearly half of the world’s population, is grown in many Asian countries and Thailand, the world’s largest exporter of rice, acknowledges that the main cause of increasing prices is the rising cost of planting rice.

But what causes these higher costs? There are many factors, such as climate change and trade barriers, but most significantly it’s our quest for fuel. With energy prices increasing sharply, the impact on food production is rapid. Add to this other factors, like the trend towards alternate sources of energy such as biofuels, and we are literally driving those who are already suffering most towards famine.

Rice is distributed to needy familiesBiofuels are derived from the production of wheat and corn to make ethanol, a fuel substitute. It’s a well-meaning trend that can have devastating consequences for the poor. The increasing demand for biofuels is forcing developing countries to increase wheat and corn production to the detriment of other food crops. It can also have a negative impact upon the land.

Indonesia loses about two million hectares of rainforest annually to the manufacture of palm oil – 20% of which is exported as biofuel. This not only devastates the soil and wildlife, but it also pushes the poor onto marginal land where crops struggle to grow. Indonesians also rely heavily on timber and other forest resources and without forests their survival is threatened. In poor nations, crop diversity is being challenged as more companies gain rights to grow biofuels to provide new sources of energy to rich nations.

There are contributing economic forces, too. In recent months, countries such as Vietnam have curbed rice exports to ensure that their own people have enough to eat at affordable prices. Major suppliers like Thailand are also becoming cautious. The result is that the price of rice rises even more.

Grain prices have risen
dramatically in recent
months. Rising food costs
mean some families are
being forced to withdraw
children from school Add to the mix soaring crude oil prices and transportation costs and we’re now seeing world food prices pushed to new heights. As the most vulnerable people struggle to afford the food they need, it’s leading to other serious consequences. With their precious resources used to buy food, children may be withdrawn from school and in some cases, forced to work to help contribute.

World Vision is already seeing the impact of the global food crisis on communities and is continuing to work in many practical ways to help improve food supply in poor nations. Simple and relatively inexpensive projects such as crop rotation and diversity, reforestation, better water management and better storage can make a big difference.

As much as a third of all grain grown in poor nations is lost to bad storage and infestations. In Asia alone, 6% of the rice production is lost to rats each year. That amount of rice could feed about 225 million people (roughly the population of Indonesia) for one year.

World Vision is doing everything in its power to prevent sponsored children from being affected by the global food crisis and StarKids will continue to support vulnerable children and their communities.

So please, if you order an in-flight snack, help a child to eat too by donating the change or equivalent money to StarKids. Simply put your donation in the StarKids envelope that is located in your seat pocket and pass it to one of the Jetstar cabin crew.

About Starkids

Tim Costello, CEO World Vision

How did StarKids come about?
StarKids is a humanitarian partnership between World Vision Australia and Jetstar. The partnership supports community-based development projects in Australia and across Asia and aims to improve the lives of families living in poverty. It’s about giving children a brighter future.

What does StarKids aim to achieve?
StarKids aims to raise AU$3 million in three years. The support given to World Vision through StarKids will go towards transforming the lives of vulnerable children.

How can Jetstar passengers help?
Your donations would be most welcome! Please place your small change (all currencies) in the StarKids envelope located in your seat pocket. The money collected from Jetstar passengers will be given to World Vision Australia for community development projects in Australia and Asia. You can also donate online at www.jetstar.com/starkids

Where can I get more information about World Vision projects?
Visit www.worldvision.com.au or www.jetstar.com/starkids for more information.