Freedom from Hunger Campaign in Wales

The Freedom from Hunger Campaign (FFHC) was originally conceived by Dr B.R. Sen (Director General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation at the time) in November 1959. It was then established as an organisation in the UK in 1961 with the support of the British Government. The headquarters of the FFHC UK were later moved to the Temple of Peace in Cardiff, Wales in 1978 to continue under the control of the Welsh Centre for International Affairs before the campaign’s dissolution in 1997.

The FFHC’s objectives included the relief of hunger and want throughout the world; to educate all on problems surrounding food and population; to increase the UK’s understanding of our own privileges and abilities to help those less fortunate; and to raise funds for agricultural development projects across under-developed countries.

Throughout its work, the FFHC was involved in international schemes across Africa, Asia, South America, Central America, the Pacific and the Middle East. They helped to increase agricultural yields; build infrastructure; implement new technologies; and teach management among other skills. In addition, the campaign also subsidised many smaller, less publicised grants in the UK to aid the growth of the development field. One of the larger and longest-term project was the Bihar Dairy Campaign between 1976 and 1997. The campaign successfully implemented dairy cooperatives in 30 villages across the region, which also included a follow up report during the period to determine the schemes continued success.

The Freedom from Hunger Campaign was so important in recognising and educating many on the differences between the Global North and Global South based on their privileges, food security and health. During the beginning of the campaign, the Global North had 25% of the world’s population but 80% of the worlds income, and an average life span of over 75. In comparison the Global South contained 75% of the population, 25% of the income and an average life spam of 50. These figures continue to this day, proving development organisations are needed to help fight inequality.

1970s Panama Development Education Project, Wales Freedom from Hunger Campaign
YearLocationDescription
1969MauritiusYouth to youth programme for children in Wales to raise funds for an agricultural programme
1976Malawinutritional project
1976-97Bihar, Indiadairy project
1976-88Uttar PradeshDairy improvement
1978FFHC UK HEADQUARTERS MOVE TO CARDIFF 
1979Lesothocredit to young farmers to start small projects to relieve hunger and self employment
1981Kenya
1981Zimbabwenutrition materials
1981Sudanwells
1981IndoreWomen vocational Training
1981DehliWeaving project
1981SinaiWater development
1981Thailand
1981-84ZambiaWater for farmers
1984Ethiopiaagricultural development
1984Calcutta
1985TanzaniaTraining materials (friends of urambo and Mwanhala) for student courses and training mechanics
1986Tanzaniagrain borer project
1987KenyaGoat rearing project
1987Bolivia
1989Mali
1989Uganda
1989Madagascar
1989Sierra LeoneSeeds and fertilisers
1989Kerala
1989-90ZimbabweDairy development
1989-90Mexico
1990Ecuador
1990Kenya
1991New CaledoniaNutrition
1991Malichildren nutritional work
1991-1993KenyaIT women’s stove project
1992-96West BengalSpirulina project to increase growth rate
1993BangladeshSelf-sustainable leaf crops
1993Somaliawells
1993Tanzaniamachinery and transport for crops
1993Madagascarenvironmentally sound farming methods
1994-97Thailandfunded a volunteer working there
1995Mali
1995Madagascarpoultry production
1995Rwandawater, sanitation, nutrition, food security
1995Tanzaniatech support
1995Zimbabweagricultural training and water project
1995-97GhanaSuame scholarship scheme
1997Indonesiamanagement skills for village leaders and garden development
1995-97PeruBuild seed stores to strengthen food security, create videos on management and strengthen institutional coordination of water irrigation and management. Ongoing supportive work of the government’s ministry of agriculture
1997Madagascar
1997MaliWells (with UNICEF)
1997Tanzania
1997ZimbabwePoultry project and draught mitigation trained 20 participants