France pledges more food aid to counter food crisis

by cynthia yoo | April 18, 2008 at 09:16 am

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The global food crisis is hitting developing countries hard. Haiti, Egypt and Indonesia have been rocked by food riots.

President Sarkozy said the emergency food aid budget would rise to 60m euros (£47.5m; $94.5m).

He said 37 countries were "going through a very serious food crisis".

Earlier this week, US President George W Bush ordered the release of 127m euros (£100.5m; $200m) of emergency aid to counter the food shortages.

Call to action

The cost of basic foods has risen sharply around the world in recent months, sparking protests in countries from Egypt to Indonesia.

Rice prices on world markets have climbed about 75% in just two months, and the cost of wheat has rocketed by 120% in the past year.

The price of maize, an African staple, has more than doubled since the beginning of 2006.

"We must act urgently to strengthen food security," said Mr Sarkozy.