NGOs react to Obama’s announcement on food security

Washington, DC (May 18, 2012) — Members of the U.S.-based NGO alliance InterAction released the following quotes on President Obama’s New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition:

ActionAid

“While the New Alliance touts the role of the private sector, as President Obama said, this must include even the smallest African cooperatives. The real innovators in African agriculture are women smallholder farmers. Any private sector partnership to improve food security must place them and African civil society at the center.”

Henry Malumo, Africa Advocacy Coordinator, ActionAid International

InterAction

“A billion people go to bed hungry every day and a challenge of this magnitude requires a new approach. But any partnership with the private sector must not be a substitute for governments meeting previous obligations, such as those agreed in 2009 at the G8 summit in L’Aquila when $22 billion was pledged in agricultural and food security assistance.”

Sam Worthington, President and CEO, InterAction

ONE Campaign

"It is particularly important that the G8 tomorrow endorse President Obama's commitment to sustain the L'Aquila promises on funding and policy coordination. It is vital, too, that action on agriculture is matched by a determination to stop the devastating impacts of chronic malnutrition on children's development.”

Michael Elliott, President and CEO, ONE Campaign

Oxfam America

“G8 leaders should join President Obama to commit resources to help developing countries reach this ambitious goal. The pledge to find $1.2 billion for the trust fund to support country agriculture plans is a good start. But the G8 should recommit to the partnership they began at L’Aquila and maintain that level of investments. Otherwise, they’ll be offering a shrinking solution to a growing problem.”

Gregory Adams, Director of Aid Effectiveness, Oxfam America

Save the Children

"At a time when a billion people go to bed hungry every night, Save the Children applauds President Obama for refocusing world attention on the ‘injustice of chronic hunger’ and the importance of nutrition in a child's first thousand days."

Michael Klosson, Vice President of Policy and Humanitarian Response, Save the Children

World Vision U.S.

"We are pleased to see the President take a significant step forward to launch a food and nutrition initiative to lift 50 million people out of poverty, but leaders won't be able to claim success in 10 years if this alliance grows economies but not children."

Richard Stearns, President, World Vision U.S.

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About InterAction:
InterAction is the largest alliance of U.S.-based nongovernmental international organizations, with more than 190 members. Our members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life. Visit www.interaction.org

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve the world's poor — regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information on their efforts, visit WorldVision.org/press or follow them on Twitter at @WorldVisionNews