Walk in Dhaka
UNITED TO END CHILD HUNGER ACROSS THE WORLD DHAKA, Sunday, 7 June 2009: Thousands of children who know what it feels like to be hungry took to the streets today, together with caring citizens, in a worldwide walk to raise awareness on child hunger. In Bangladesh, WFP with its partners, families and friends joined the walk to focus on hunger that kills one child every six seconds globally. The walk was held in Dhaka and Jessore. This annual walk aims at raising public awareness about global hunger as well as raising funds for WFP’s School Feeding programme.  | | It is a matter of greater concern and shame that millions of children are going to bed at night hungry and also they are going to schools unfed or underfed. It is unfair and unjust |  | | H.E. Mr. G M Quader, Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, Bangladesh |
While opening the Walk in Dhaka, G M Quader, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister, said, “It is a matter of greater concern and shame that millions of children are going to bed at night hungry and also they are going to schools unfed or underfed. It is unfair and unjust.” In Bangladesh, over 40 percent children under the age of five are underweight and stunted which in a reduced mental capacity and physical development, ultimately jeopardizing the national progress. “Let us all take this opportunity to take an oath today that we would do every thing possible to end hunger especially the hunger of our children,” the minister added. The Walk in Dhaka started at 10.00 am today from UN offices in IDB Bhaban and ended up at Bangladesh China Friendship Center, Sher-e- Bangla Nagar via the Chandrima Uddyan intersection. In Dhaka around 5000 people from various partner agencies including 2000 school children participated in the Walk. Few people know that Taka 1200 or US$ 18 can feed a school children for a whole year. It suggests that even the smallest contribution can help make a huge difference.” said John Aylieff, WFP Bangladesh Representative. I n the “End Hunger: Walk the World” – an annual event now in its seventh year – thousands of people took part in the walk in 70 countries today. It started in Australia with a climb up the Sydney Harbor Bridge and continued through all 24 time zones. The Walk with colorful banners and festoons started from IDB Bhaban at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and ended in the Bangladesh China Friendship. G M Quader, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister, John Aylieff, WFP Representative in Bangladesh, CEOs of corporate partners, popular writer Dr. Md. Zafar Iqbal, Imdadul Haque Milan, Anisul Haque, Film actress Maousumi, TV actress Saoumi Kaiser, film actress Sadia Islam Mou, Film actor Omor Sani, TV actor Jahid Hasan, TV presenter Abdunnur Tushar, Magician Ulfat Kabir participated in the walk in Dhaka along with number of eminent personalities and institutes including, Prime Bank, TNT Express, Citibank, PCS, MRDI, Dhansiri, Pran, SW Multimedia ltd, CCL. “We believe that hunger is not acceptable in today’s world. I feel proud that we have actively taken part in this Walk to show our solidarity and to raise funds to give these children the daily meal they deserve at school.” said Delwar Hossain, Country Manager of TNT Bangladesh. The walk showcased the many faces of hunger across the globe. “We are happy to take part in such a walk for the noble cause and we would always extend our support to such programme of WFP in future”, said the popular writer Anisul Haque. The popular writer Professor Dr. Zafar Iqbal said, “To day we are proud to take part in this global event dedicated to a very noble cause of raising awareness about ending hunger with particular focus on child hunger. Let me assure you that WFP can count on us for such humanitarian ventures in the future. After the walk this morning in Dhaka John Aylieff said Walk the World has now become a very important and popular event of our partners and supporters. “We want to make sure that we continue to emphasize and highlight the issue of child hunger around the world including in our country Bangladesh”. |
