Mairead McGuinness Fine Gael MEP

To mark the launch of the 2011 Global Hunger Index, Mairead McGuinness and her colleague Gabriele Zimmer MEP held a roundtable discussion in the European Parliament (Wednesday, 12th October) on Global Food Security in an Era of High and Volatile Food Prices.

The Global Hunger Index identifies the areas around the world where the hunger levels are most severe. According to this year’s report, 26 countries have levels of hunger that are “alarming or extremely alarming.”

This year’s report is called “The Challenge of Hunger: Taming Price Spikes and Excessive Food Price Volatility.” and was being released in advance of World Food Day for the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide.

Klaus von Grebmer, lead author of the report and IFPRI communications director, said: “The poorest and most vulnerable people bear the heaviest burden when food prices spike or swing unpredictably. This report calls for action on several fronts to build resilience and mitigate the effects of volatility, particularly in countries where hunger is most severe.”

To launch the report, events are also taking place in Washington, Berlin, London, Des Moins, Paris, Nairobi, Milan and Dushanbe.

Read the full report, the Global Hunger Index briefing paper, or download a map showing hunger levels around the world, here.

Pictured with Mairead McGuinness are: Klaus Von Grebmer, Director Communications Division, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI),
Jean-Pierre Halkin, European Commission Head of Unit – Rural Development, Food Security, Nutrition, and
Gabriele Zimmer MEP, Germany, member of the European Parliament Committee on Development,