In response to the growing crisis of food access in Africa, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House panel on Africa, will be holding a hearing entitled, “Africa’s Current and Potential Famines.” At the hearing, three leading experts will deliver testimony on what can be done about the current crisis, and how similar events can be prevented.

     “Global famines in 2017 have been labelled the worst since World War II, with 28 million people needing humanitarian assistance in East Africa alone,” said Smith. “Of the 10 worst global famines, seven are the result of conflict, such as in South Sudan and Nigeria. This hearing will examine the need for accelerated food and other assistance in famine situations and discuss the need to end conclusively the conflicts that cause or exacerbate famines.”

Who:              
Chairman Smith (NJ-04), Senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations; other members of the Committee

Witness:         
The Honorable Tony P. Hall
Executive Director Emeritus
Alliance to End Hunger

Mr. Roger Thurow
Senior Fellow
Global Food and Agriculture
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Mr. Julien Schopp
Director for Humanitarian Practice
InterAction

What:             
House hearing on Food Insecurity in Africa

When:            
Wednesday, June 14, 2017, 2:15 PM

Where:           
Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2172 (first floor)

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