Freedom from Hunger Campaign speech

From time immemorial hunger, disease and illiteracy have been man's persistent enemies which have plagued his effort to lead a fuller and healthier life.

Being aware of the urgent necessity to eradicate these causes of human miseries, and having realised that this could only be done through their concerted actions in the various agencies of the United Nations, the nations of the world have joined hands and pooled together their resources and energies to fight back these scourges.

When, in 1960, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, determined to free mankind from the scourge of hunger, which is one of the three enemies of man, presented the program of Freedom From Hunger Campaign to the tenth session of the FAO and the General Assembly of the United Nations, Ethiopia was one of the foremost countries to support and endorse the proposal.

Apart from the various actions and programmes, which We endeavor to initiate, to enhance and promote the welfare of Our beloved people, Our efforts to propose and support various programmes at the various forums of the United Nations and its specialized agencies have given encouraging results. At all times, Ethiopia will continue to be the first to take action on such programmes that are designed to fight and eradicate such enemies which threaten human life and prosperity. All nations have readily and fully endorsed the proposal that the Freedom From Hunger Campaign should be established within the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The purpose of these programmes is to study, assist and advise how effectively the developing countries can best utilize their natural resources to raise the standard of living of their peoples.

The most effective way of utilizing any outside assistance is to create and develop an atmosphere of self-help, where the available human and natural resources could be tapped in the best interest of the people. Everyone, in all walks of life, regardless of his professional occupation should feel concerned and play an active role to solve such problems which affect mankind, Now, We call upon the generosity of Our people to help develop agriculture and improve its productivity.