by The United Church of Canada
Food is not a privilege—it is a human right. Yet so many around the world continue to face hunger, malnutrition, and barriers to accessing food in ways that uphold their dignity and cultural identity. Each year on October 16, World Food Day calls on the global community to reflect on the urgent challenge of hunger, and to recommit to just and sustainable food systems.
For The United Church of Canada, World Food Day is a time to honour and amplify the voices of partners who are working for food justice. Through accompaniment, advocacy, and direct support, global partners strengthen resilience and work toward a world where all have enough to eat. We are committed to supporting both emergency food assistance in times of crisis and long-term programs that build sustainable food systems.
Hunger stems from several interconnected causes: poverty, inequality, climate change, displacement, and unjust global political and economic systems. All too often, hunger is also driven by oppression, conflict, and war, where food becomes a weapon instead of a source of life.
Food Justice in Gaza
One urgent example comes from Gaza, where for Palestinians, access to food has been deliberately weaponized as part of a genocide. United Church partners have spoken out against the use of starvation as a weapon of war. Together, we have joined
open letters (and
this) and advocacy efforts pressing the Government of Canada to:
Ensure the immediate and unhindered delivery of food, water, fuel, and humanitarian aid to Palestinians enduring genocide in Gaza
Impose a comprehensive, two-way arms embargo on Israel, including closing loopholes such as exports via the U.S.
End Israel’s illegal military occupation and annexation of Palestine, paving the way for a just peace
These demands recognize that food security cannot be separated from peace, justice, and human rights. The current ceasefire is a welcome opportunity but it must be permanent and sustained. In Gaza, accompaniment means standing alongside communities in their struggle for survival, dignity, and the right to food. To do this, we urge people to write to their MPs to advocate for these demands—you can find helpful advocacy resources
on this webpage.
A Prayer for Gaza on World Food Day
God, our Good Shepherd,
You know each one of us by name, and you do not abandon your flock. In these difficult days, we lift up our people in Palestine, those who mourn, those who wait, and those who work each day for peace with justice. Amid forcible displacement, genocide, and despair, may your voice be heard, calling us into hope.
We pray for the people of Gaza, those facing starvation and thirst, those fleeing death and daily burying tens of their loved ones, those who have lost hope in a world that has forgotten them and watches their genocide in silence.
We pray for an end to their unprecedented pain and for the lifting of the injustice that weighs upon them. Open the minds and hearts of decision makers, O God, that they may see killing does not bring peace. Only Your mercy, love, and justice can lead the world to true peace and the salvation of humanity. Amen.
From a United Church Global Partner, the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR).
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