12 June 2008

U.S. First Lady Says Food Crisis Demands Global Response

Laura Bush also emphasizes U.S. commitment to alleviating hunger

First lady Laura Bush speaks at the World Food Programme headquarters in Rome. (© AP Photo/Rein Skullerud, WFP)

By Julie Hyman
Staff Writer

Washington -- Meeting people's basic need for food demands a global response, first lady Laura Bush says, as rising commodity and freight costs, devastating natural disasters and the ravages of strife combine to threaten lives and livelihoods.

“From Afghanistan to Africa, the United States understands that meeting people's basic need for food is a global problem that demands a global response.  As the world's largest donor of food assistance, we're committed to helping alleviate hunger worldwide,” Mrs. Bush said in a brief address to the World Food Programme's executive board June 12 in Rome.

“Today, as all nations face a significant increase in global food prices, higher costs can mean the difference between a daily meal and no food at all for millions of people across the globe,” she said.

In April, $200 million was approved by the administration for emergency food aid, and President Bush asked the U.S. Congress for an additional $770 million in May for food aid and development assistance.  Mrs. Bush projected at least $5 billion in additional support over the next two years.

She cited rising commodity and ocean freight costs as an obstruction to efficient emergency food aid delivery and said international transportation methods should be changed.  Economic development experts believe that inefficient delivery systems contribute indirectly to the failure of much-needed food to reach those most in need.

“President Bush has called on Congress to support a proposal to purchase up to 25 percent of U.S. food assistance directly from farmers in the developing world.  This measure would help build local agriculture, and by reducing shipping delays and costs, it would help us get more food to those in need faster,” she said.

Mrs. Bush mentioned the effects of food assistance, specifically citing U.S. aid to Afghanistan, Burma and Bangladesh.  Earlier June 12, she spoke in Paris at the International Conference to Support Afghanistan, where she announced that the United States would contribute $10.2 billion to support continuing progress and growth in Afghanistan.

"After a hard winter and years of drought, more than 5 million Afghan men and women live each day with food uncertainty," she said.  "Food assistance is critical to these efforts" to bring relief to Afghanistan.

She said that after two floods and a cyclone devastated Bangladesh, the United States contributed $20 million.  And an additional $78 million in food aid has been promised, she said.

"In times of natural disaster, we know that timely food aid can mean the difference between life and death," she said.

In Burma, $12 million of the U.S. commitment of $35 million will go to the World Food Programme.  Mrs. Bush urged Burma’s government to stop refusing international assistance and thanked the World Food Programme for its work in Burma and elsewhere.

A transcript of the first lady’s remarks to the World Food Programme is available on America.gov.