WASHINGTON (September 24, 2023) The Alliance to End Hunger today applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s commitment to an additional $1 billion towards hunger relief in response to the global food crisis. The announcement – made by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack – was delivered at the annual Borlaug Dialogue of the World Food Prize in Des Moines, Iowa.
Up to 783 million people in the world are facing hunger. This number has steadily increased over the past decade due to violent conflict, climate-driven shocks, and economic uncertainty exacerbated by the recent pandemic. According to USDA: “The $1 billion donation will bolster ongoing efforts to address global hunger, as well as support U.S. agriculture through the purchase of surplus commodities.” This commitment follows a request by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) to respond to the food crisis, especially in the wake of continuing violent conflicts that disrupt global food systems.
“This commitment by USDA is encouraging and underscores America’s leadership fighting food insecurity and malnutrition around the world,” stated Alliance to End Hunger Executive Director Eric Mitchell. “Despite the chaos we are witnessing in Washington right now, we are also seeing the bipartisan resolve from leaders such as Secretary Vilsack and Senators Stabenow and Boozman to both support US agriculture and ensure vulnerable populations have the food they need.”
While welcoming this announcement, the Alliance to End Hunger stresses that this is not a substitute for crucial robust funding for existing international food security programs. The Alliance continues to call on Congress to complete its appropriations work and provide necessary funding for global food security programs at this time of skyrocketing need. We look forward to continuing our efforts to end the food crisis and make ending hunger a key pillar of American policy.
