One billion people starving, suffering from chronic hunger
ABC report              John Dear            Jesus: I was hungry and you ....           

Asia and the Pacific - 642 
Sub-Saharan Africa - 265 million
Latin America and the Caribbean -53 million
Middle East and North Africa - 42 million
In developed countries -15 million 

What can I do?  
1. Choose a country  and pray for it each day. Pray that it's leaders avoid corruption. Pray for it's  peace and justice.  Pray that it's people are energetic and honest,  not lazy and dishonest.  Best prayer: The Our Father ....said several times a day....looking at a map of the country can be a help...praying that the people of that country have daily bread, that God's kingdom of love and justice and peace comes in that country, that the people of that country are saved in time of trial....protected from evil.

2. "Live more simply so that others may simply live".  Save a few dollars each month by simpler meals (a meal at a simple canteen rather than at an expensive restaurant). Save a bit each month by cheaper travel (bus/train  rather than taxi; walking rather than bus;)

3. Use money from 2 to help some reliable NGO in 1

e.g.
1.  I'm going for Sudan in Africa, for the Darfur region of Sudan.  Classic example of link between starving people and unjust government.
2.  I'm going to try to save HK$200 each month.
3.  I'm going for Oxfam (which works to change poverty-causing unjust structures, as well as working to alleviate poverty in urgent situations). Have just now used my Visa card to donate HK$200 each month.  How Oxfam is helping Darfur.
For a couple of years now I've also been sending donations to Save Darfur, which is run by  wonderful Jewish leaders  Jerry Fowler and David Rubenstein who only too well understand that  Darfur is spelt Holocaust.

St Paul says how the real battle front in this whole business  is a spiritual one, between powers of light and powers of darkness.  Politicians  are just the minor characters.  Main characters are behind the stage lighting fires.  People who pray are fire fighters. 

Darfur is a tragic repeat  of Rwanda.  The movies "Hotel Rwanda" and "Shooting Dogs" tell the story. (HK friends welcome to borrow my copies).  See also the book re "Hotel Rwanda" -  An Ordinary Man, by Paul Rusesabagina,  how he saved 1,200 people at his hotel during the genocide in Rwanda

Sudan government is able to avoid sanctions/change  because of support of China, whose support also keeps Burma, North Korea,   Sri Lanka and Fiji protected .  Read message between lines of this report,  a  message spelt our here.  

Prayer + support for Save Darfur  & Oxfam     are a   way to bring about a change in this situation = a practical way to help some of the one billion people who are starving right at this minute as I type/read  these words 

Let's pray also for Obama, Ban Ki-moon,  Benedict and other leaders to find ways to help our suffering world:
When he was a senator, Obama tried to visit Darfur when he went to Kenya....but not allowed in.  He's genuinely trying to help.
Needs more prayer warriors to help him take action.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has courageously visited Africa, Gaza and just now, Burma (where he was unceremoniously refused permission to see Aung San Suu Kyi).
Benedict spoke out forcefully on his recent visit to Gaza, and some time ago met the Sudan leader.  His latest letter
May all three be blessed with more courage to speak out and take action.

Final food for thought about this topic:  I can't remember this topic being given any coverage on local  TV news....unlike USA July 4 hot dog eating contest which had a 3-4 minute sickening coverage ....how men ate 60 hot dogs in 10 minutes

2009-08-03 update: Recently I heard of a HK parish which, instead of having an expensive restaurant dinner for its annual feast day (..."feast"...) had a simple buffet in the parish hall.....and sent money saved to a project for the poor in China.   This is what is needed:  action by individuals/groups/governments

Sep 2009 update:  Sonia Gandhi abandons private plane in austerity drive

Poverty File