Freedom from Hunger Campaign ,February 22, 1963
``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... ``