April 13 2008 - The World Bank on Sunday urged immediate action to deal with mounting food prices that have caused hunger and deadly violence in several countries.President Robert Zoellick said at a meeting in Washington that the international community has "to put our money where our mouth is" and act now to help hungry people. "It is as stark as that."
He called on governments to rapidly carry out commitments to provide the UN World Food Program with $500 million US in emergency aid it needs by May 1.
"It is critical that governments confirm their commitments as soon as possible and others begin to commit," Zoellick said.
Prices have only risen further since the WFP issued an appeal earlier this month, so it is urgent that governments step up, he said.
After a meeting of the bank's policy-setting committee, Zoellick said that the fall of the government in Haiti over the weekend after a wave of deadly rioting and looting over food prices underscores the importance of quick international action.
Zoellick said that international finance meetings are "often about talk," but he noted a "greater sense of intensity and focus" among ministers; now, he said, they have to "translate it into greater action." More >>>
