The International Alliance Against Hunger was born as a voluntary partnership for combining the strengths of local, national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations, service and religious organizations, the private sector and concerned individuals with the common mission of working to eradicate hunger on our planet. Participants recognize that a united effort can present a much more powerful message to political, social and economic leaders who make decisions on advocacy, resource mobilization and development strategies.

Many nations have made verbal commitments to fight hunger, but few have been able to do enough. Through the National Alliances that are being formed with the support of the International Alliance and its partners, nations will now have a new level of unified support as they work to create the policy environment, provide the funding and implement the programmes that will provide their citizens the tools they need to overcome hunger and poverty.

The International Alliance occupies a strategic position for making a contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, especially those aimed at reducing hunger and poverty and for building partnerships, but also those for health, education, gender and sustainable use of natural resources. Supporting achievement of these goals also puts the Alliance in a position to work to reduce political exclusion, especially the exclusion of ethnic minorities, rural people in general, women and youth. Its ultimate success will depend on its ability to give expression to the aspirations of the poor and hungry and to engage them as full partners in finding and implementing solutions that will make a real difference to their lives.

Aims

The aims of the IAAH are:

• to contribute to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, especially by strengthening national and global commitment and action to end hunger and malnutrition;
• to give expression to the aspirations of the poor and hungry;
• to engage the poor and hungry as full partners in finding and implementing solutions that make a real difference to their lives and the lives of generations to come;
• to facilitate dialogue on the most effective measures to reduce hunger and malnutrition;
• to promote mutually supportive action involving governments and other stakeholders in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.

Strategy

The IAAH inter-agency ad hoc working group that has been providing organizational leadership for the International Alliance during the start-up phase named a drafting committee to prepare a draft strategy for the NGO Side Event during the Committee on World Food Security in September 2004. In addition, it was circulated to all National Alliances and their partners. This strategy paper is intended to be a living document, to be changed in parallel with the growth and needs of the International and National Alliances.

Secretariat

The Secretariat is housed at FAO and has access to FAO staff support. However, it is an independent entity truly representing the constituent partners of the International Alliance and its National Alliances.