MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce that I have approved $50.3 million for development
food aid to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for 1997-98. In
addition, I anticipate some $30 million will be made available for emergency
relief operations. This Australian contribution will assist the WFP eradicate
the hunger which afflicts more than 800 million people worldwide.
Australian emergency food aid will help WFP fight starvation in emergencies,
when drought, flood or armed conflict threatens lives. Emergency food aid has
already been sent to the WFP for the millions of North Koreans who face
starvation.
I am also pleased to welcome the WFP Executive Director, Ms Catherine
Bertini, to Australia. I look forward to meeting Ms Bertini, in Canberra on
Wednesday.
WFP is the agency best equipped to deliver urgently needed food to victims of
natural and man-made disasters. Following a successful trial last year, AusAID,
the Government's overseas aid agency, will again channel Australian emergency
food aid through the WFP.
While emergency humanitarian relief is vital, it is important to look to the
causes of hunger to help people break out of the cycle of poverty. Australia
supports the WFP's development programmmes which enable hungry people to feed
themselves.
The WFP engages Australian NGOs to deliver a number of its projects in the
developing world.
A significant amount of Australian food aid is grown and bought in Australia
and sent to developing countries. Approximately 128,000 metric tonnes of wheat
and rice will be bought from Australian producers as part of our commitment to
WFP. In addition, WFP has purchased high quality Australian grains with funds
from the international community for use in development projects.
Media contact: Innes Willox (Minister's office) 02 6277 7500
0411 414695 Geoff Adlide / Anthea Webb (AusAID) 06 206 4967 / 015 265
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