Strangely, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has not treated 'right to food' as one of its articles. However, the first article is 'right to life'. One may, therefore, argue that the prerequisite for food has been recognised obliquely. The question here is, why was not food's pre-eminence recognised directly and squarely? Although any government anywhere in the world considers providing food for every citizen its primary duty, food crisis, hunger or even famine at times, leads to malnutrition-related diseases and deaths. Even in the new millennium, people are yet to have enough food for living a healthy life. A country known for producing perhaps the largest number of Miss Universes, Venezuela has been going through a famine-like situation for sometime now. North Korea may have successfully launched intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) but hunger is stalking that land. There are many corners in Africa where food is scarce for people.
It is against such a backdrop, the demand for legislative recognition of right to food should have long been made. Speakers from a discussion meeting arranged in the city early this week voiced the need for such a law. They claim that formulation of a 'right to food act' will go a long way in ensuring food for the country's citizens. It appears that the demand has been prompted by the repeated floods that have caused extensive crop losses in many areas of the country, including the haor region. The apprehension is that in the face of unrelenting onslaughts of the climate change, more and more natural disasters will affect Bangladesh in the future. So there is need for preparation for such events and reaching succour to the affected people.
Admittedly, the Rohingya issue has eclipsed the plight of flood victims in the country's north and in the haor region. Obviously, they are not receiving the attention and material support they deserve. In this context, the issue of 'right to food' has been raised at the right time. It is the most critical period for flood-hit areas. Affected people have been returning home with the recession of water but without adequate support they cannot manage food and reconstruct life until the next crop. The most they need is food support and agricultural inputs for cultivation. The government has been doing its best to help both the Rohingya people and the flood victims but dishonest traders, rice traders in particular, are taking undue advantage of the situation.
In a situation like this, the government has the mandate to control prices of the staple and obviate onset of hunger. The participants in the discussion have felt the need for giving the emergency a permanent recognition in the form of legislation. They propose for a 'right to food act' which will be a permanent basis for dealing with hunger in the country in the future. This should be endorsed as it is likely to guarantee at least the minimum basic requirement of all people for keeping body and soul together.
