Contacts:
In Washington: Amy Stilwell (202-458-4906)
astilwell@worldbank.org
Geetanjali S. Chopra (202- 473-0243)
gchopra@worldbank.org
WASHINGTON, May 1, 2008 - The following statement was released today by World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick in response to the announcement by President Bush of a financing package to help address the global food crisis.
"I warmly welcome this announcement by President Bush and applaud US leadership in this critical area. These funds will help put food in the mouths of millions of people who are struggling to survive as prices rise. Importantly, US action goes beyond critical short term needs and aims to deal with the causes of the crisis so millions will not suffer again. I encourage others to follow the US lead and take similar bold action.
I welcome the fact that this announcement comes after Ministers representing 150 countries endorsed a New Deal for Global Food Policy, and as United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon assembled an international task force to address the food crisis over the short, medium and long term. By combining emergency support for the neediest, with support for agricultural production, and international action on trade, the US package takes us closer to the integrated international response needed to build sustainable solutions."
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