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Brother
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Saudi Aid Helps World Food Appeal
CAIRO — Bailing out poor people around the world, Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, has donated half a billion dollars to the UN World Food Program (WFP) to battle the global food price crisis.
"The Saudi donation will keep many people from dying, others from slipping into malnutrition and disease, and will even help to stave off civil unrest," WFP executive director Josette Sheeran said in a statement on the agency's website.
The WFP, which operates in 78 countries and helps feed an estimated 73 million people, launched the 755 million dollar emergency appeal in March.
Thirty-one countries had given 460 million dollars to the WFP appeal before the Saudi donation came in.
"This contribution completes the World Food Program's appeal target of $755 million to respond to the rise in fuel and food costs," UN spokeswoman Marie Okabe said.
"The secretary-general notes that this contribution of an unprecedented size and generosity comes not a moment too soon, given the needs of millions of people dependent on food rations."
Global food prices have nearly doubled in three years, sparking violent protests in several countries.
Fearing social discontent, many countries strained their budgets to maintain huge food subsidies.
Rising populations, strong demand from developing countries, increased cultivation of crops for biofuels as well as floods and droughts have sent food prices soaring across the globe.
Based on UN records, global food prices rose 35 percent this year and 65 percent since 2002.
In 2007 alone, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's world food index, dairy prices rose nearly 80 percent and grain 42 percent.
Last month, oil-rich Kuwait launched an Islamic food fund to help poor Muslim countries face the worsening global food crisis caused by surging prices.
Generous
The WFP said the skyrocketing food prices represent the foremost challenge which pushes about 130 million people into hunger.
"We turned to the world to help the hungry and the world has been generous," said Sheeran.
"This is an example of what humanitarians around the world can do when we come together to address problems that affect us all."
The Rome-based agency said the Saudi donations will help secure much-needed food for programs throughout Africa and other parts of the world.
"In particular, WFP will be able to continue to providing food for millions of children enrolled in school and therapeutic feeding programs in Kenya, Yemen, Ethiopia and Somalia and in many other critical hunger zones.
"The 500 million dollars from Saudi Arabia rounds out the appeal, and leaves an additional 214 million dollars available for other urgent hunger needs."
http://www.islamonline.net
Saudi Aid Helps World Food Appeal
CAIRO — Bailing out poor people around the world, Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, has donated half a billion dollars to the UN World Food Program (WFP) to battle the global food price crisis.
"The Saudi donation will keep many people from dying, others from slipping into malnutrition and disease, and will even help to stave off civil unrest," WFP executive director Josette Sheeran said in a statement on the agency's website.
The WFP, which operates in 78 countries and helps feed an estimated 73 million people, launched the 755 million dollar emergency appeal in March.
Thirty-one countries had given 460 million dollars to the WFP appeal before the Saudi donation came in.
"This contribution completes the World Food Program's appeal target of $755 million to respond to the rise in fuel and food costs," UN spokeswoman Marie Okabe said.
"The secretary-general notes that this contribution of an unprecedented size and generosity comes not a moment too soon, given the needs of millions of people dependent on food rations."
Global food prices have nearly doubled in three years, sparking violent protests in several countries.
Fearing social discontent, many countries strained their budgets to maintain huge food subsidies.
Rising populations, strong demand from developing countries, increased cultivation of crops for biofuels as well as floods and droughts have sent food prices soaring across the globe.
Based on UN records, global food prices rose 35 percent this year and 65 percent since 2002.
In 2007 alone, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's world food index, dairy prices rose nearly 80 percent and grain 42 percent.
Last month, oil-rich Kuwait launched an Islamic food fund to help poor Muslim countries face the worsening global food crisis caused by surging prices.
Generous
The WFP said the skyrocketing food prices represent the foremost challenge which pushes about 130 million people into hunger.
"We turned to the world to help the hungry and the world has been generous," said Sheeran.
"This is an example of what humanitarians around the world can do when we come together to address problems that affect us all."
The Rome-based agency said the Saudi donations will help secure much-needed food for programs throughout Africa and other parts of the world.
"In particular, WFP will be able to continue to providing food for millions of children enrolled in school and therapeutic feeding programs in Kenya, Yemen, Ethiopia and Somalia and in many other critical hunger zones.
"The 500 million dollars from Saudi Arabia rounds out the appeal, and leaves an additional 214 million dollars available for other urgent hunger needs."
http://www.islamonline.net
LOL
