un calls for $500m in funding
25 March 2008
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has appealed for funding to close a $500 million to close the gap caused by a global spike in food and fuel prices. The agency is currently feeding 73 million people who are caught up in crises around the world.
“We urge your government to act quickly on this request so that we may avoid cutting the rations for those who rely on the world to stand by them during times of abject need,” said Josette Sheeran, Executive Director of the WFP.
In a letter to donors send out last week, Ms Sheeran said the price of food and fuel has risen to record levels in recent years, shooting up at an aggressive pace of 55 percent since June 2007.
She said the WFP had taken many steps to mitigate the increases, including buying 80 percent of its food supplies in local and regional markets. Due to the sharp price rises, however, the new estimated figure to cover this year’s projects across 78 countries is $3.4 billion, which does not include unforeseen emergency operations, the agency said. Rising prices also mean that the world’s poorest people will have to spend a larger proportion of their income on food.
They will buy less food, food that is less nutritious, or rely on aid, said the agency. “Our efforts will include working with governments, UN agencies and other partners to address long-term solutions while we tackle these urgent needs,” Ms Sheeran said.
Countries where price rises are expected to have a direct impact include Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Haiti, Djibouti, the Gambia, Tajikistan, Togo, Chad, Benin, Myanmar, Cameroon, Niger, Senegal, Yemen and Cuba, according to WFP.