United Nations Radio

The World Food Programme -WFP aims to feed about 100 million people in 2009 at a budget of about $5.2 billion

Food distribution in Congo

But it warns that without a rapid injection of funds in the very near future, it will run out of food for assistance to a number of countries, including Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, the Democratic republic of Congo and Haiti, by March.
Spokesperson Emilia Casella says the head of WFP Josette Sheran has urged countries to step up and allocate money to urgent hunger needs.

"And Ms. Sheeran has pointed out that a mere 1 per cent of the money that has been spent for financial bail-out packages in recent weeks would completely fund the World Food Programme's 2009 budget and in addition permit us to provide hot meals in schools for 59 million children around the world."

Ms. Casella says that kind of money will also allow for the establishment of a reserve fund for fast acquisition of food stocks for emergencies.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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