United Nations Radio

The World Food Programme Tuesday announced a $214-million package aimed at 16 hunger hotspots in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.

WFP says the funds will be used to provide life-saving food rations to the most vulnerable, including pregnant women and children.

It says food aid will also be scaled up in urban areas hardest-hit by high food prices, including through the use of cash and vouchers.

The head of WFP Josette Sheeran says "food prices are not abating, and the world's most vulnerable have exhausted their coping strategies."

She notes that families spending more than 60 per cent of their income on food are eating less, buying less nutritious foods, cutting out education and healthcare, and taking on more debt.

More than half of the funds in this new initiative are targeted for the Horn of Africa, where drought, insecurity and high prices have created an especially urgent situation.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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