hello folks,

I have done a fair bit of research on this and can only arrive at a rough figure, I’m afraid. I have focussed on the most commonly used statistic of 19,000.

The quotes, mostly originating from the Jubilee campaign, sometimes state that “19,000 children die as a result of money going to foreign creditors instead of basic health, education and clean water.” Other quotes, however, indicate this figure relates only to Africa.

Most sources say the figure (either 19000 children per day or 7 million per year) comes from UN estimates. A report posted on the Jubilee Plus site officially notes the stats as coming from the UNDP Human Development Report 1997. The report can be found online at http://www.undp.org/hdro/97.htm

I have looked over it, but haven’t found any clear reference to these figures. I have emailed the UNDP to see if they can help, as well as the Jubilee Plus people. Our Business Intelligence Officer, Ed Mcgeehan, says that he understands that the 19000 figure was stated verbally at the World Population Conference in 1994 (in the heat of debate, apparently). If I find out anything else I will let you know immediately.

There are of course, other figures bandied about. The Hunger Site has 24,000 deaths per day embalzoned across its home page, and other figures are used elsewhere. As I understand it, none of them will come directly from any report from any global organisation. Calculating how many deaths are directly linked to poverty/debt/hunger appears to be a logistical impossibility. I believe that most such figures are calculated by using the statistics in reports like the Human Development Report.

I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful at this time. If anything clearer comes to light, I will let you know.

Narrelle Harris Digital Information Officer

=== I need your help. What’s the _current_ figure for children dying of hunger-related diseases / malnutrition etc. ? I’ve seen figures ranging from 30-48,000 a day world-wide. What’s the UN/WV figure? (Can you attach a source please/thanks!)

Send to both of us – myself and Rev. Alan Nunn

Thanks Bill…

Shalom! Rowland Croucher