WFP runs out of money; food aid to poor may be affected

The United Nations has said it expects to register a 'dangerous and unprecedented' shortfall in budgetary allocations for its World Food Programme and as a result of which food aid to millions of hungry poor in many countries may be affected.

World Food Programme executive director Josette Sheeran said the organisation is hoping to reach 108 million people in 74 countries this year with food aid, but the UN body expects to receive only $3.7 billion of the $6.7 billion needed for 2009.

"We are actively cutting $3 billion of our programme -- which means a reduction in rations and programmes throughout the world, including those to the world's most vulnerable people," Sheeran told reporters here.

In Bangladesh, for example, the agency sought to feed five million people this year, but must now cut back to reaching only 1.4 million, with a school feeding programme only feeding 70,000 children out of the original target of 3,00,000.

Sheeran said the food crisis is still raging in the developing world where high food prices are exacerbated by the impact of the current economic slump.

Data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation shows that in most developing countries, food prices are higher at present than it used to be a year ago.

Image: The poor of India. | Photograph: Dipak Chakraborty