Food Aid Reform: we have a change to increase effectiveness in food aid

Hello,

 As I am writing this to you, in the Hill conversations about the reform in the foreign aid budget, proposed by the President last March are proliferating.  The importance of this reform is not due to an increase or decrease in funding, but rather, a change in the allocation of the money.  Out of the close to 1% of the Federal budget allocated to Foreign aid, 55% is for international development and humanitarian assistance.   

Currently the all the food used to assist people in need oversees is purchased in the US, and eventually shipped to these countries.  The President proposal, ask to take a 45% of the humanitarian money and used to buy food within the country or close countries where the need exists.  This will help in the effectiveness of the aid provided, by getting food quicker to affected areas, buying more cultural appropriate foods, and by helping the local economies (one component for sustainability).  OXFAM calculated that 17 million more people will get food with this small change in the budget without additional cost to taxpayers.

 I can go on and on, but I will stop here. If you want more information, please see the attached documents, listen to the PBS interview with former USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios and Ellen Levinson from the Alliance for Global Food Security, or visit OXFAM America.

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The window of time we have to push this request is very short, so please take a couple of minutes to sign the petition...

Thank you! Have a great week!

Mariela Quesada

2013 Madison- OXFAM  Action Corps