EMAIL DETAILS

Good Morning,
On Tuesday night, Congress and The White House agreed to a final spending bill that includes accounts that fund WFP. Over many months, the WFP USA policy team worked within Congress and led the NGO community to build support for these accounts. Even in a difficult fiscal environment, all accounts were increased over last year’s levels.

The oldest and longest serving account funding WFP, Title II Food for Peace, was increased by $250 million over last year’s level for a total of $1.716 billion for FY16.

The McGovern-Dole school feeding program was increased by $10 million over last year’s level for a total of $201.626 million for FY16. As a bonus, $5 million of these funds can be used for Local and Regional Purchase (LRP). As you know, WFP USA led the effort to authorize LRP in the 2014 Farm Bill.

Finally, the International Disaster Assistance (IDA) account, was increased by $899 million over last year’s level for a total of $2.794 billion for FY16. Traditionally, around one-third of IDA is used for food through the Emergency Food Security Program (EFSP).

And finally, there was an effort by some in Congress to increase cargo preference (percentage of US food aid that must be shipped on more expensive US flag ships) from 50% to 75% on international food assistance. This could have cost upward up to $80 million to groups that provide food assistance. After intense advocacy by WFP USA and our fellow NGOs, this provision was thankfully rejected.

In a time when the daily news describes partisan differences, it is important to reflect on the longstanding bipartisan support for US efforts to alleviate global hunger. That bipartisan support truly reflects the commitment of the American people and is an unequivocal statement about the values of the country.

All the Best and Happy Holidays,
Rick

Richard Leach
President & CEO

World Food Program USA
1725 Eye Street NW, Suite 510
Washington, DC 20006
T 202.530.1694
F 202.530.1698
rleach@wfpusa.org<mailto:jcorum@wfpusa.org>