Media CenterCRS Applauds Congressional Introduction of Global Food Security Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Nikki Gamer
Catholic Relief Services
[email protected]
(978) 884-0003
 

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, Aug. 1, 2022 – Bill O’Keefe, executive vice president for Mission, Mobilization and Advocacy at Catholic Relief Services (CRS), issued the following statement in response to the introduction of the Global Food Security Reauthorization Act into the U.S. House and Senate.

“In the midst of an enormous hunger crisis plaguing a quarter of the world’s countries, we greatly appreciate legislators in the House and Senate for introducing the bipartisan Global Food Security Reauthorization Act. This bill is a critical step forward in addressing the hunger crisis fueled by drought, skyrocketing inflation, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and conflict. More than 300 million people, equivalent to the entire population of the United States, face acute food insecurity. Needs are accelerating. Against this backdrop, a bipartisan group of lawmakers are shepherding the Global Food Security Reauthorization Act through Congress. The legislation includes a modest funding increase for Feed the Future programming and draws attention to the intersection between agriculture and environmental issues. If passed, the law would help the international community address the root causes of poverty, hunger and malnutrition while strengthening the resilience of our global food system.

Yet at the same time, while this bill will help address the long-term drivers of hunger, it is not enough to diminish the immediate global hunger tsunami crashing now. That’s why we urge lawmakers to quickly pass the Global Food Security Reauthorization Act while also taking up additional legislation to fund programs that target immediate global hunger and malnutrition.

CRS continues to support efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance delivery, including making it possible for local actors to drive the humanitarian and development process.”

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For more information, visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org and follow Catholic Relief Services on social media in English at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube; and in Spanish at: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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