Statement from World Food Program USA on Biden Administration’s Release of Funds from Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust

WASHINGTON, DC (April 27, 2022)—The World Food Program USA commends the release of resources from the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust (BEHT) to help ease the growing burden of hunger sweeping across the globe. We thank Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and USAID Administrator Samantha Power for their joint efforts to access this lifesaving resource and also share our appreciation for the many Congressional champions on both sides of the aisle that have called for the BEHT’s release in recent months.

Former Congressman Bill Emerson (R-MO) was a champion for the world’s hungriest people and the Trust that bears his name is a shining example of this country’s long legacy in fighting global hunger. Nearly 44 million people in more than three dozen countries are facing the looming prospect of famine and the events in Ukraine have driven global hunger to record levels. There has perhaps never been a more important moment for American leadership to prevent the suffering of millions of people facing starvation, both to ease their hardship and to pave the way for a stable, more prosperous world.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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