The number of people living in extreme poverty has grown by 100 million, and the number of hungry people has increased by 75 million in the last two years, according to a report issued Nov. 24 by the Bread for the World Institute.
The report by the Christian anti-hunger group calls on Congress and President-elect Barack Obama to strengthen U.S. foreign assistance programs, making them more effective in fighting global hunger and poverty.
The organization’s 19th-annual report examines progress that has been made in reducing hunger and poverty worldwide and risks to the poor posed by rising food and fuel prices.
It also analyzes successes and failures of U.S. foreign assistance policies and programs across the government — from 12 departments, 25 agencies and close to 60 different government offices.
The report calls for a series of reforms, including elevating global development as a specific goal of U.S. foreign policy, strengthening civilian leadership in U.S. development assistance and partnering with recipient countries to meet their long-term development goals.
It also suggests increasing agricultural productivity and raising the earning potential of poor people to gain long-term food security. (RNS)
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