Caritas Pakistan campaigns as food shortages spread

October 19, 2012 - The social arm of the Catholic church of Pakistan on Tuesday called for swift government action to end food shortages in the country. Caritas Pakistan said the shortages are putting a growing number of the country’s population at risk. The call came amid farmers’ protests led by Caritas in two Punjab districts on Tuesday. “The government has to get serious if it wishes to end food shortages. We demand long-term subsidies to farmers of all agriculture products,” said Samuel Clement, director of Caritas Pakistan Multan. “They should also be involved in decision making forums,” he added. The protesting farmers in Khanewal district said high fertilizer prices, low returns on cotton and wheat crops, electricity blackouts and a lack of proper irrigation all contributed to low crop yields. Churchmen say food donations have dropped as poverty widens and supplies get scarcer. According to a national nutrition survey last year, up to 58 percent of the country’s population suffers from food insecurity. Earlier this week, Minister for National Food Security and Research noted that of the total affected population, 29.6 percent suffered from hunger or severe hunger. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also expressed alarm over food scarcity and its impact on the poor.