Bush approves $200m food crisis aid

President George Bush has released $200m (€249) in emergency aid to help nations where surging food prices have worsened hunger and sparked violent protests.

On Sunday, the president of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, had urged rich countries to act urgently to help needy people and "put our money where our mouth is".

Haiti, Egypt and the Philippines are among the countries facing civil unrest because of food prices and shortages.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said earlier that Mr Bush directed US officials to review what could be done to help countries where escalating food prices have caused hunger and violence.

Mr Bush directed agriculture secretary Ed Schafer to draw down an estimated $200m from a food reserve known as the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust.

Ms Perino said the move would help deal with the impact of rising commodity prices on US emergency food aid programmes and help meet the unanticipated food needs of countries in Africa and elsewhere.

She said Mr Bush was "very concerned" about the mounting crisis that had hit Haiti, Egypt, the Philippines and other countries.

"He believes that developed countries have a responsibility to help those that are in need," she said.

Mr Bush discussed the hunger problem at length with his Cabinet yesterday.

Beyond short-term aid, Ms Perino said administration officials were debating solutions with lasting impact.

"Over the long run, the source problems will need to be identified, the source of where the food is, so that there is a long-term plan in place that helps take care of the world's poor and hungry," she said.