An Emergency Appeal from the World Food Programme

(11 April 08 - RV) The World Food Programme has issued an extraordinary emergency appeal to address a critical funding gap in its programmes created by soaring food and fuel prices.

The price of food and fuel has increased to record levels in recent years, with the cost of WFP food purchases having risen 55 percent since June 2007.

Spokesperson Paul Risley says the WFP needs an additional half billion dollars to sustain its current food aid levels.