Health & Hunger Matters

1. Health & Hunger Matters A Look at Rotary’s Health & Hunger Efforts Worldwide

2. A Global Perspective Around the world people face a variety of health and hunger challenges. Be it a diabetes awareness program or a project to protect a community from malaria, Rotarians are working to improve public health and stop hunger.

3. Major Health Challenges Each year: • Three million people die from AIDS • 300 million people contract malaria • Childbirth kills over half a million women in developing countries • Over two million children die from easily preventable or treatable diseases

4. Major Hunger Challenges In the world today: • 852 million people are undernourished • 300 million children will go to bed hungry • 25,000 people will die due to chronic malnutrition • Malnourished people typically lose five to 10 percent of their lifetime incomes

5. Related Challenges • Health and hunger challenges are often connected. • Chronic malnourishment weakens the immune system and makes people vulnerable to disease. • Many diseases caused by unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation cause people to become malnourished. • Disease and hunger rob families of loved ones and communities of valuable resources – weakening their economies and impeding development.

6. Rotarian Health Projects • Increase public access to safe and affordable healthcare. • Reduce child mortality and improve maternal health. • Improve sanitation and access to safe drinking water. • Prevent, treat, and raise awareness about critical community health concerns.

7. Rotarian Hunger Projects • Raise awareness about hunger. • Break the cycle of chronic hunger. • Provide sustainable access to food. • Create social safety nets. • Promote gender equality and empower women.

8. Health & Hunger Resources Tools to Support Rotarian Health & Hunger Projects

9. Health & Hunger Resource Group Appointed annually by the RI president, the Health & Hunger Resource Group is a network of Rotarian volunteers who support and encourage Rotary club and district participation in health and hunger activities worldwide.

10. Resource Group Structure • A general & assistant general coordinator promote global health and hunger efforts • 6 area coordinators support regional health and hunger efforts in Asia, the South Pacific & Southern Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America • 39 zone coordinators help support & encourage district health and hunger activities • Each district appoints a coordinator to help facilitate Rotarian and club health and hunger projects

11. Work with the Resource Group • Contact your district or zone coordinator for health and hunger resources & project ideas • Share project successes with district coordinator, zone coordinator, or Rotary International • Appoint a club health and hunger project coordinator to work with your district coordinator • Learn more about the Health and Hunger Resource Group at: www.rotary.org

12. Contact the Resource Group Resource group contact information may be found in Rotary’s Official Directory or by contacting: Rotary International (PD210)1560 Sherman AvenueEvanston, IL 60201 USA E-mail: programs@rotary.org Tel: (847) 424-5343 Fax: (847) 866-6116

13. Important Dates • 7 April – World Health Day • 16 October – World Food Day • 1 December – World AIDS Day

14. Other Rotary Resources • Visit the RI Web site: www.rotary.org • Communities in Action: A Guide to Effective Projects (605A) • A Menu of Service Opportunities (605B) • Community Assessment Tools (605C) • World Community Service Projects Exchange Database • Community Projects Database