Food crisis hits children the hardest

"A significant part of last year's food price fluctuations were the result of excessive speculation in the commodities markets by the very hedge funds and investment banks that helped create the current economic meltdown," reads the letter, signed by 183 social justice and civil society groups. Speculation in commodity markets occurs when business entities -- such as hedge funds and investment banks -- take financial risks while buying or selling raw or primary products in international markets in hope of making profits down the road.

clipped from us.oneworld.net 6.5 million Afghans are among those suffering worst from the global food and hunger crisis. © Parwin Arzo/IRIN