United Nations Radio

World Food Programme may face difficult decisions in providing food aid due to lack of funds and rising food prices.

WFP currently feeds 73 million people in 80 countries. Out of its total budget of $3.4 billion it has received $800 million. But in response to the emergency appeal of $500 million, WFP has received confirmation for only $14 million. WFP spokesperson Christiane Berthiaume is urging donors to provide more funds:

"If by this summer we don't get more, we'll have to take quite heartbreaking decision: either we have to reduce the number of beneficiaries or reduce the rations. We hope not to reach that point."

Ms. Berthiaume stresses that WFP looks for ways to reduce the cost of food aid. One of them is to buy staple crops locally. WFP says it buys 80 percent of food aid close to where it is going to be delivered.

Reporting for UN Radio, I am Elena Vapnitchnaia.

(duration: 1'07")