'David Beasley, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme, discusses the essential work being done on the front lines world-wide to prevent millions of our global community\'s most vulnerable people from extreme hunger and starvation. Awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize in October, the World Food Programme assisted approximately 100,000,000 people last year alone. This year, it is projected that upwards of 270,000,000 will face starvation as the devastating economic impacts of the Corona Virus are realized and amplified by degraded ecosystems and existing political instability in vulnerable regions throughout the world. Mr. Beasley is calling on the global community of national leaders, billionaires, and ordinary people in wealthy nations to wake up, step up, and do what needs to be done to deal immediately with this impending crisis. In 2020, billionaires made 5.2 billion dollars additional PER DAY - and Mr. Beasley projects that $5,000,000,000 is the amount required to protect people around the world from starvation - one day\'s worth of wealth accumulation at the top of the economic pyramid. At a nexus of intelligence visibility with purview into every region of the world, and a depth of economic and political realism, Mr. Beasley tells us that we\'re facing the near-term prospect of massive famines, destabilization of nations, and mass migration of refugees - the impacts of which may cost 1,000\'s of times more than their prevention. In frequent communication with the United Nations Security Council and national leaders world-wide, Mr. Beasley recognizes that we must mobilize at every level and scale of society, thus encouraging us to (1) look our for those in our own communities needing help, (2) communicate with our national leaders to emphasize the importance of action on these critical strategic security risks, and (3) send $1, $10, or more to sharethemeal.org to help avert starvation. In addition to providing immediate crisis response to the most vulnerable populations around the world, the World Food Programme is also engaged in large-scale ecosystem restoration and regenerative agriculture projects. So far the WFP has rehabilitated or reforested 1.5 million hectares of land, has planted over 6 billion trees, has constructed over 53,000 ponds, wells, and reservoirs, has supported 1,000s of communities to develop local compost projects for soil fertility/water retention/food security, and in 2020 has protected 2.3 million vulnerable people in 12 countries with climate risk insurance products. Their work in Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Yemen, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, and scores of other nations has engaged millions of beneficiaries in localized ecosystem rehabilitation, water-retention and flood prevention, appropriate/resilient agriculture, and sustainable economic development - restoring life and hope while also providing women and men alternatives to the violence and extremism that results from desperation. With eyes wide open to the severe risks facing our global community, a deep ethic of care and compassion, and a grounded pragmatism, Mr. Beasley shares a message of HOPE, LIFE, and ACTION. David Beasley is the Executive Director of the UN\'s World Food Programme, continuing his life\'s work to bridge political, religious, and ethnic boundaries to champion economic development and education. Before coming to WFP in 2017, Mr. Beasley spent a decade working with high-profile leaders and on-the-ground program managers in more than 100 countries, directing projects designed to foster peace, reconciliation, and economic progress. He was Governor of the US state of South Carolina from 1995 to 1999 and received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for his innovative work during that time. He received his Bachelor\'s degree from Clemson University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of South Carolina. He also taught at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and began his public service career by being elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives at the age of 21. RESOURCES: wfp.org sharethemeal.org twitter.com/wfpchief instagram.com/david.beasley__ facebook.com/gov.beasley linkedin.com/in/david-m-beasley-1319b3b/ nobelpeaceprize.org'
Tags: covid , nigeria , Corona virus , Ethiopia , Refugees , climate change , Afghanistan , Burkina Faso , yemen , famine , south sudan , regenerative agriculture , Niger , United Nations World Food Programme , Ecosystem Restoration , UN Security Council , Y on Earth Community Podcast , Governor David Beasley , Aaron William Perry , Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize , Harvard University School of Government , Share the Meal , sharethemeal.org , Sustainable Livelihoods
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