 | John Aylieff, WFP Representative in Bangladesh, speaks at the launch of the World Hunger Relief Campaign
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Dhaka 14 October 2009: KFC and Pizza Hut have launched the World Hunger Relief Campaign jointly with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to raise wider awareness on hunger and support WFP to provide meals to children in schools, helping to ensure they achieve an education – one of the most critical steps necessary to overcome poverty and hunger. This year’s campaign - the third in succession – was inaugurated today at KFC in Dhaka by WFP Representative in Bangladesh John Aylieff and Executive Director of Transcom Food Ltd. Akku Chowdhury. It will run for a month, building on the success of the 2008 campaign in which both celebrities and customers participated actively. .  | | Concerted and rapid action is required to stem the sharp rise in hunger and malnutrition in Bangladesh |  | | John Aylieff, WFP Representative in Bangladesh |
“Concerted and rapid action is required to stem the sharp rise in hunger and malnutrition in Bangladesh. In collaboration with the Government, WFP has shown that school feeding helps bring children into primary school and keep them there. It also significantly reduces their malnutrition, setting them up for a far more healthy and productive life. This is a critical intervention under which we need to target the 4.4 million children who do not attend primary school. We call upon all KFC and Pizza Hut customers to contribute and help us to build the next generation.” In collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh WFP, through its school feeding programme provides biscuits fortified with vitamins and minerals to 1 million poor children in 7,000 schools in food insecure areas across the country.
 | | Mr. Akku Chowdhury, Executive Director, Transcom Foods Ltd, speaks at the launch of the World Hunger Relief Campaign |
"Hunger is a global concern and an issue that faces each of us no matter where we live and work. The Bangladeshis address the problem of hunger in their own way, inspired by their wonderful spirit of solidarity and sympathy for those in need. It is hoped that this spirit will continue to ensure that hunger remains top of everyone's agenda." said Mr. Akku Chowdhury, Executive Director, Transcom Foods Ltd. The Hunger Relief Programme will be celebrated internationally from October 14–November 13, 2009 by all the restaurants under the Yum! International brand. The campaign led by Yum! (A & W, KFC, Long John Silvers, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell)- a network of over 35,000 restaurants in 112 countries – and the UN World Food Programme worked to raise awareness about hunger, with all proceeds going to the WFP. Food insecurity affects over 1 billion people worldwide. It is the largest global health threat, ahead of AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined. Each day 25,000 people die of hunger related causes. Shakila Zafar, Mehreen and Shomi Kaiser joined the inauguration to show solidarity with the campaign. All funds raised during Yum! Brand's World Hunger Relief Campaign will directly support the greatest needs of WFP's food relief fund in the least developed nations around the world. The Yum! Foundation will make a matching contribution of all consumer funds raised during World Hunger Relief Campaign to cover a minimum of US$500,000 and maximum US$2M in WFP's needs. |
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 | | “I feel deeply privileged to be associated with such an initiative, that provides a brighter future for several thousands of children in our country, and I would like to make a special appeal to the media, who are responsible for raising awareness amongst people, to sincerely take an active role in terms of support, behind such a noble cause.” .....Shakila Zafar, Eminent singer |
 | | “I am immensely grateful to WFP for allowing me to be part of a campaign such as this. I sincerely hope this initiative of raising resources and awareness and helping to ensure food security for children, will continue to be a great success,” ...... Mehreen, Popular Singer |
 | | “Every six seconds, one child dies from hunger and related diseases. I believe that this campaign by WFP and Yum! Brands, is an excellent means for us all to be part of such an effort and assist WFP in providing food for school children across the country,” ...... Shomi Kaiser, Celebrity Actress |
 | | “Our small effort can make a big difference. In school, only Tk 100 can feed a child for a month, Tk 1200 can feed a child for the whole year, and Tk 3, 60,000 can feed all at a primary school of 300 students for an entire year.” .......M. Emamul Haque, Head of External Relations, WFP Bangladesh |
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