Ankara: Nearly half of all deaths among children under the age of five are caused by hunger, Turkish first lady Emine Erdogan warned, calling for global action to reduce food waste on the fourth anniversary of International Zero Waste Day. In a video message shared on US social media company X marking March 30, designated as International Zero Waste Day by the UN General Assembly in 2022 under Trkiye's leadership, Erdogan highlighted the human and environmental costs of food waste and called for greater awareness and behavioral change.

According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan emphasized that rescuing just one-quarter of food wasted globally could be enough to eliminate hunger, noting that 673 million people face hunger and over 2 billion lack access to adequate and balanced nutrition. This year's theme is set as "food waste," she said, noting that 673 million people worldwide are struggling with hunger, more than 2 billion lack adequate and balanced nutrition, and one in every 12 people lives under the risk of chronic hunger.

Erdogan stated, 'We want to recognize the chain reaction behind every piece of food thrown away and collectively say 'stop' to this trend.' She underlined that approximately 2.3 billion tons of food-equivalent to 5.8 trillion meals-are lost or wasted annually, stressing that 'every wasted bite carries the rights of those whose lives depend on it.'

She pointed out the grave impact of hunger, noting, 'Sadly, nearly half of deaths among children under the age of five worldwide are caused by hunger.' Erdogan added that if just a quarter of the food wasted globally were recovered, hunger could be eradicated worldwide. Furthermore, she highlighted that food loss and waste contribute 8% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating environmental and climate pressures.

Citing the Food Waste Index Report, Erdogan mentioned that 60% of food waste occurs at the household level, emphasizing that simple behavioral changes could significantly reduce waste. She referred to Trkiye's Zero Waste Project launched in 2017, which demonstrated that behavioral transformation is one of the most effective environmental and climate policies.

Erdogan concluded by urging people to prevent food spoilage, thereby saving the resources used in food production. She called for collective action to build 'a fair world where no child goes hungry.'