Secure Middle East stability by feeding hungry children

Far away in Ethiopia there is the threat of famine because of a severe drought. Farmers have been unable to grow food because of the lack of rainfall.

But as we speak, children in Ethiopia are getting a lifesaver. These are school meals because of an initiative started by former Senators George McGovern and Bob Dole.

The McGovern-Dole Food for Education program, run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has made sizable donations to Ethiopia the last several years. The UN World Food Program is distributing this food.

The McGovern-Dole school meals have been crucial as the drought crisis has developed. Stephanie Savariaud of WFP says '262,000 children in Afar and Somali regions have food at school” from McGovern-Dole. These are two regions hardest hit by the drought and food shortages.

Imagine you are a family in this drought zone, with food supplies low. You have to make tough decisions including sending your child to work instead of school. It might be the only way to get food on the table. But then you hear that food is available at school because of this amazing program from the United States. Now you will send your child to class.

McGovern witnessed first hand the hunger in Europe caused by the chaos of World War II. Likewise, Dole served in the U.S. Army and saw the horrible effects of conflict.

These experiences influenced the two men to make fighting hunger a part of their life.

McGovern, a Democrat and Dole, a Republican, fought hunger at home and abroad during their careers in the Senate. They set a great example to every member of Congress. They did so in a bipartisan way.

And their impact is not only being felt in Ethiopia today but also in Guatemala, where Save the Children is using a McGovern-Dole grant to feed 21,654 children in 118 schools in drought affected areas.

McGovern-Dole again are coming through in the neediest of times. The USDA says that since 2002 McGovern Dole 'has benefited more than 30 million children in 38 countries” with school meals.

But let's not be satisfied with that. That number should be a starting point. We should be even more proactive in ways McGovern-Dole could help during this global crisis of war and drought.

There are Syrian refugee children in Lebanon that are really struggling with hunger and poverty. That is why Mercy Corps has been setting up school meal programs in Lebanon. If you can provide food at school parents will send their children. Depending on the day and location children receive either chicken, fish, meat, beans or sandwiches and fruit.

The school meals from Mercy Corps are provided from local sources which helps even more families in Lebanon. So this is a good program that could use a big expansion. That is something the Congress should take up right away as part of its overall strategy for securing stability in the Middle East.

McGovern-Dole funding is limited by how much Congress allocates. The more funding Congress can provide the more meals for children worldwide.

' William Lambers partnered with the UN World Food Program on the book Ending World Hunger. Comments: www.williamlambers.com