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UN increases food aid by $1.2bn UN increases food aid by $1.2bn
(about 2 hours later)
The UN is to provide an additional $1.2bn (£613m) of food aid for 75 million people in the 60 nations hardest hit by rising food prices.The UN is to provide an additional $1.2bn (£613m) of food aid for 75 million people in the 60 nations hardest hit by rising food prices.
The announcement was made by World Food Programme chief Josette Sheeran at a UN-sponsored summit in Rome.The announcement was made by World Food Programme chief Josette Sheeran at a UN-sponsored summit in Rome.
Also at the summit, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said there was an "urgent need" for international policy guidelines on biofuel production. At the summit, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said there was an "urgent need" for international policy guidelines on biofuel production.
Food costs have reached a 30-year high, causing riots in several countries.Food costs have reached a 30-year high, causing riots in several countries.
Map showing impact of food price rises on trade balances Map showing impact of food price rises on trade balances
The crisis is believed to have pushed 100 million people into hunger worldwide.The crisis is believed to have pushed 100 million people into hunger worldwide.
ChallengeChallenge
Ms Sheeran told a news conference that unless the international community acted quickly, the number of people in dire poverty could double.Ms Sheeran told a news conference that unless the international community acted quickly, the number of people in dire poverty could double.
SUMMIT AGENDA Price controls, trade tariffs and export bansSubsidies for biofuelsHelp for farmers in poorer countriesEffect of climate change on agriculture Lesotho tackles crisis href="/1/hi/business/7425078.stm">Cheap food era over class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7432864.stm">Pressure mounting for action "With soaring food and fuel prices, hunger is on the march and we must act now," she said. SUMMIT AGENDA Price controls, trade tariffs and export bansSubsidies for biofuelsHelp for farmers in poorer countriesEffect of climate change on agriculture href="/1/hi/world/europe/7435439.stm">Biofuel high on agenda class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7432972.stm">Lesotho tackles crisis href="/1/hi/world/americas/7432164.stm">Tortilla prices put pressure on poor "With soaring food and fuel prices, hunger is on the march and we must act now," she said.
At the same news conference, Mr Ban said $15bn-$20bn (£7.6bn-£10.2bn) would be needed each year to boost food production to combat hunger.At the same news conference, Mr Ban said $15bn-$20bn (£7.6bn-£10.2bn) would be needed each year to boost food production to combat hunger.
He also called for more research into the impact of biofuels on the food crisis.He also called for more research into the impact of biofuels on the food crisis.
The International Food Policy Research Institute says biofuels are behind 30% of the global food price rises, while the US says biofuels are responsible for 2-3% of the rise.The International Food Policy Research Institute says biofuels are behind 30% of the global food price rises, while the US says biofuels are responsible for 2-3% of the rise.
Export bansExport bans
Mr Ban said the international trade system should also be made to work more effectively to make food available at reasonable prices.Mr Ban said the international trade system should also be made to work more effectively to make food available at reasonable prices.
HAVE YOUR SAYA summit isn't going to tackle the problem but addressing over-population might. Unfortunately, nobody wants to talk about itDavid Smith, UKSend your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYA summit isn't going to tackle the problem but addressing over-population might. Unfortunately, nobody wants to talk about itDavid Smith, UKSend your comments
The head of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, called for the lifting of trade barriers that contribute to food price inflation.The head of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, called for the lifting of trade barriers that contribute to food price inflation.
"We need an international call to remove export bans and restrictions," Mr Zoellick told the news conference."We need an international call to remove export bans and restrictions," Mr Zoellick told the news conference.
Also at the summit, Food and Agriculture Organisation director General Jacques Diouf announced that the Islamic Development Bank would give $1.5bn (£766m) in aid to farmers in the poorest countries.Also at the summit, Food and Agriculture Organisation director General Jacques Diouf announced that the Islamic Development Bank would give $1.5bn (£766m) in aid to farmers in the poorest countries.
The FAO is hosting the conference, which ends on Thursday.The FAO is hosting the conference, which ends on Thursday.
On Tuesday, it warned industrialised countries that unless they increase yields, eliminate barriers and move food to where it is needed most, a global catastrophe could result.On Tuesday, it warned industrialised countries that unless they increase yields, eliminate barriers and move food to where it is needed most, a global catastrophe could result.
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