International Food Assistance: Key Issues for Congressional Oversight
Abstract
The number of individuals experiencing hunger has grown to more than 1 billion worldwide in 2009, up from a record 963 million in 2008, according to the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). International food assistance includes both emergency food aid and long-term food security programs. Due to rising food prices, increasing conflicts, poverty, and natural disasters, in 2007, a record 47 countries - 27 located in Africa - faced food crises requiring emergency assistance. While food aid has helped to address the immediate nutritional requirements of some vulnerable people in the short term, it has not addressed the underlying causes of persistent food insecurity. As the largest donor to international food assistance, contributing over half of all food aid supplies to alleviate hunger and support development, the United States plays an important role in responding to emergency food aid needs and ensuring global food security. The U.S. administration continues to commit to international food assistance by pledging U.S. leadership in developing a new global approach to hunger and the Secretary of State has emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach to sustainable systems of agriculture in rural areas worldwide. Enclosed are a series of papers highlighting key issues to assist in developing this new global approach to hunger and to help shape oversight agendas to evaluate these efforts. Our objectives were to (1) update U.S. agencies' responses to GAO's previous international food assistance recommendations and (2) identify potential oversight questions for congressional consideration. We have identified five issues for Congressional consideration to ensure more efficient and effective international food assistance: (1) coordination and integration, (2) needs assessments and market information, (3) transportation and logistics, (4) nutrition and food quality control, and (5) monitoring and evaluation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA514786
Entities
People
- Phillip J. Thomas
- Thomas Melito
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office