International aid leader and former S.C. Gov. David Beasley shared his commitment to combating the global hunger crisis at a Dec. 3 event at the Circular Congregational Church in downtown Charleston.
Beasley began his speech by raising his hand and counting silently to five before the audience of more than 100 Charleston residents.
“Someone just died of hunger,” said Beasley, who accepted a Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the World Food Program in 2020. “Every 5 to 9 seconds, a life is lost because of this crisis. A meal is a right, not a privilege, for every person on this planet.”
The former governor from Society Hill served as executive director of the United Nations World Food Program from 2017 to 2023, leading the organization through some of the most challenging humanitarian crises in recent history. He shared stories of his hands-on work addressing hunger in conflict zones, often collaborating with world leaders across the political spectrum.
“My career has taken me across the country and all around the world, meeting with Democrats, Republicans and global leaders and not one person has told me they’re OK with this division,” Beasley said. “We are the most connected we’ve ever been as a world digitally, and yet so divided politically. Regardless of your views of the world, the question is: what can each of us do to help?”
Beasley, who has raised millions of dollars to attack global hunger, acknowledged many people question why they should contribute to global aid efforts, especially in countries far from their own. He explained, however, that fostering happy, healthy and stable nations abroad ultimately benefits everyone, creating greater security, unity and opportunity at home.
“People wonder why they should send their taxpayer dollars down to third world countries, which I understand,” Beasley said. “First, I would hope people do it out of the goodness of their heart, but also, if you want to develop a greater budget for programs in your own country, addressing the root causes of disability globally only helps with that. We want to stabilize other countries, which in turn stabilizes the world.”
Beasley concluded with a call for unity and civic action.
“Today, when I see so much division around the world, it breaks my heart,” said Beasley, who served as South Carolina’s governor from 1995 to 1999. “We are at a crossroads, and what America needs most is to come together. That begins with each of us—sitting down, seeing one another as equals and recognizing that everyone is equally deserving. America can’t be great unless America is good.”
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