WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 24, 2009) — Just prior to President Barack Obama's first address to a joint session of Congress, Save the Children today stood with members of Congress and other humanitarian organizations on Capitol Hill to call for a comprehensive U.S. plan to alleviate global hunger and to support bipartisan legislation that addresses the underlying causes and solutions of hunger around the world.

The broad-based coalition — which numbers more than 30 organizations, among them Bread for the World, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Friends of the World Food Program, Mercy Corps and World Vision — has announced "The Roadmap End Global Hunger," a strategic plan to address global hunger in the short, intermediate and long term.

Coalition senior executives, including Save the Children's President and CEO Charles MacCormack, joined with Representatives Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.) at a press conference to announce the launch of the "Roadmap to End Global Hunger" campaign. The representatives said they intend to introduce new, bipartisan legislation to enact key elements of the Roadmap.

 "We are trying to put global hunger on the top of the administration's agenda," said Rep. McGovern. "This needs to be a priority that should be reflected in trade, agriculture and foreign policy. Indifference has resulted in great detriment to this country

Added Rep. Emerson: "There are things in the federal budget that are not as important as this issue."

Coalition members and supporters of new U.S. policy to address hunger said that the challenges to alleviating hunger are significant but not insurmountable. What is required is a comprehensive approach that addresses emergencies such as famine as well as provides safety nets for poor families so that they are not pushed into starvation when a crisis looms.

"It takes more than food to fight hunger," said MacCormack. "That is why we all stand here today in support of new and serious legislation that provides an integrated approach to ending hunger. We need to tackle the problem across the spectrum, addressing emergencies, bolstering safety nets for families living on the edge, and ensuring that children have enough food to nourish young bodies and brains. We can make a difference. We need to start now. And we hope for a day when no one has to die for lack of food."

The world is coping with high food prices and financial and economic crises that are pushing more people into poverty and hunger. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the number of hungry people worldwide has increased to nearly 1 billion. An overwhelming majority of these people live in developing nations.

Learn more about the child hunger crisis.

Save the Children is the leading, independent organization creating lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. For more than 75 years, Save the Children has been helping children survive and thrive by improving their health, education and economic opportunities and, in times of acute crisis, mobilizing lifesaving assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters. For more information, visit: www.savethechildren.org