US cuts global food programme aid

Officials of several charities, some Republican members of the US Congress and some administration officials say the food aid budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1 was at least $ 600 million less than what charities and aid agencies would need to carry out current programmes. The administration blamed recent cutbacks on the huge demand from food crises this year, and the delay in approving a budget. Chad Kolton, spokesman for the Office of Management and Budget, said the administration ‘‘acknowledged the need for additional resources’’ in food aid, but said there was no way he could say about more programmes being cut next year. ‘‘The vast majority of resources available is going to emergency food aid,’’ he said.

For the other programs that have been cut back, he said, ‘‘We are going to look at a couple of different things, such as the importance of the programme and whether it is able to produce results.’’ One administration official, involved in food aid, voiced concern that putting high priority on emergency help might be short-sighted. The best way to avoid famines is to help poor countries become self-sufficient with cash and food aid now, said the official, seeking anonymity. ‘‘ — NYT