Welthungerhilfe warns against effects of soaring food prices

Small-scale farmer in Haiti. © Krause(10.4.2008). Welthungerhilfe is warning against the effects of the global increase in food prices for developing countries. In the past few days, serious rioting has erupted in Haiti, among other places, after the prices of food and petrol doubled in the past twelve months. "The poorest people are bearing the brunt of the wrong policies that have been implemented in the last few years. Agricultural development has been neglected both by industrial nations and by the affected countries themselves," complains Hans-Joachim Preuß, Secretary General of Welthungerhilfe.

Not only Haitians living on less than two dollars a day are unable to afford the record prices of staple foods. The situation is also escalating in Sudan where daily rations for refugees have had to be reduced. Even previously stable countries such as Tajikistan have appealed for aid. Welthungerhilfe is therefore calling for an increase in the financial support of agriculture in developing countries. "We have to build irrigation systems, roads and silos, and support farmers by showing them more effective methods of cultivation," says Preuß.

In Haiti, Welthungerhilfe has worked for years in rural regions. Roads are repaired, irrigation systems for fields are built and seed, fertiliser and agricultural tools are distributed among small-scale farmers. All efforts are intended to bring about a sustained improvement in the food situation according to the principle: "helping towards self-help". Welthungerhilfe also provides people with food in return for their  support of infrastructural measures.