PRESS RELEASE

Ensure Food Security: Stop giving land for biofuel investment without a policy

Dar es Salaam, Friday the 29^th of October 2010

Today Tanzania is not benefiting anything from the biofuel investment and the consequences are huge. Biofuel production has the potential to cause food insecurity if situation is left as it is, as land, water and labor is being used for biofuel rather than food production. The government of Tanzania is heavily supporting the production of biofuels without having policies in place that ensures food security and the people affected by the biofuel industry.

To make food a right and first priority in Tanzania,
the FOOD right FIGHTERS from the international Activista network are inviting all Tanzanians to join the Punch Hunger campaign and call attention to this very important message to the government:

Stop allocating land for biofuel production without a policy that ensures food security and that is implimented.

Venue/ Mahali: Tanzania Scouts Association

Time/ Muda: 2-6 pm/ 8-12pm

Major Events:

-  Performances by artists like Hardmad, Malfred, Eriakim, Rage
and FIDQ (not confirmed) etc.

-  Competitions in games, dance and music

-  Exhibitions from different NGO’s

- The FOOD right FIGHTERS launch their new song
“Punch Hunger” produced together with FIDQ

One billion people are hungry in the world and according to the ActionAid report (Implications of biofuel production on food security in Tanzania), more than 36% of the Tanzanian population lives for less than a dollar a day and 60 % are food insecure in rural areas. That makes Tanzanians some of the hungriest people in the world.

We need a policy to make the government, the ministries and the investors own up to their responsibilities towards the people. If we do not stand together now against this problem food insecurity will only increase in the future and no one will be put accountable. Food insecurity is a political manmade problem, and therefore mankind can change it. Together we can change this!!

Note: Already Wednesday the 26^th of October we will have a minor event leading up to the big event on Friday. It is a basketball tournament which will be at the Gym Khana Basketball Grounds at Ocean rd. from 4pm to 6pm. It is an open event where everybody is free to join.