Nassau Bahamas - Bahamians from all walks of life stood united in the warm glow of candlelight, to pray for relief of people living in poverty and hunger around the world.

?We are reminded during this global economic downturn, that 70 per cent of the world?s hungry live and work on small-scale farms and rural areas,? said the Hon Lawrence S ?Larry? Cartwright, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources.

?They were also gravely affected by the surge in food and fuel prices in 2007-2008, followed by the financial meltdown.?

On October 16, Bahamians celebrated the 29th Observance of World Food Day with a candlelight vigil at the Arawak Cay Culture Centre. The theme was ?Achieving Food Security in Times of Crisis.

The date also marked the 64th anniversary of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

?It is estimated there are more than a billion malnourished people worldwide,? the Minister noted. ?That is almost one sixth of all humanity. Everyone needs food to live.

?It reminds us of the vulnerable in our society who face malnourishment due to loss of income, jobs and economic security.?

The vigil was organized by the FAO to begin at dusk starting from the Southwest Pacific and moving westward through each time zone, as a part of this year?s World Food Day celebration.

?This candlelight vigil is an emblem of hope which light brings to darkness and connotes the solidarity we have with humanity,? said Mr Cartwright.

?We focus on food security needs all over the world, starting in the Far East where the candles were lit.?

The Bahamas in so doing joined the campaign to raise public awareness of the fight against world hunger and the promotion of universal food security.

?We join people worldwide in lighting candles of hope and our expectation is that they will light a spark in all of us to concerted action?to foster us into a constructive purpose,? said Mr. Cartwright.