• Together, USDA and USAID are prepared to allocate $1 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funds to purchase US-grown staples for emergency food assistance.
In an effort to provide emergency food assistance worldwide, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and USAID announced that they will mobilize $1 billion in funds Commodity Credit Corporation to buy US-grown staples.
The announcement was made by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and USAID Administrator Samantha Power, who told the media: "American farmers are the most productive and efficient in the world, and we rely on them to provide safe and nutritious food not only to our nation, but to the global community."
Secretary Vilsack continued by noting that there is "millions of people in urgent need of food assistance around the world" and argues that the American agricultural sector is "well positioned to provide vital food assistance".
"The United States produces more staples than it consumes, and therefore has the opportunity to partner with USAID and distribute these foods to those in our global community who are experiencing hardship", Secretary Vilsack continued.
Basic products for struggling states
USDA announced that an initial tranche of approximately $950 million will help purchase, ship and distribute US wheat, rice, sorghum, lentils, chickpeas, dry peas, vegetable oil, sorghum and various beans.
In the meantime, USAID will determine where the available basic products can be purchased without disrupting local markets. USDA is to collect the staples before transferring them to USAID for distribution.
“At a time when hunger is at alarming levels globally, America is reaching out to hungry communities around the world – and American farmers are critical to that effort. USAID is honored to partner with USDA to purchase, ship and distribute our surplus food to people in urgent need around the world.”, the Power admin added.
Meanwhile, another pilot project, worth up to $50 million, will also be launched to capitalize on American staples that have not traditionally been part of international food assistance programs, but which are "shelf stable and suitable for use to feed food insecure populations".
USAID is currently working with humanitarian organizations to develop this limited pilot project. It was emphasized that "this pilot project will only apply to this funding stream and not to other food assistance programs administered by USAID."
Several countries considered for project support
Eighteen countries will be involved in the initial round of support. These include: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen.
The Global Food Crisis Report and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations indicate that approximately 205 million people worldwide are in urgent need of food assistance, and approximately 768 million people are experiencing chronic hunger.
According to the USDA, the staples involved in this initiative are intended to provide emergency food aid to those in need. This effort is one component of the current US administration's work to address global food insecurity by providing additional food aid to 18 designated countries and allowing greater flexibility to respond to emerging crises.
Article source: Press release
Article written by Gabriela Dan, Editor of Arta Albă
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