Members of Congress and Humanitarian Coalition Launch Roadmap to End Global Hunger

''The United States needs a new strategy. Instead of playing defense, trying to lessen the impact of an individual crisis, we need to strengthen our offense and root out the underlying causes of hunger. The Roadmap is the right game plan at the right time to make this happen,'' says Helene D. Gayle, president and CEO of CARE USA, an internationally recognized expert on health, development and humanitarian issues.

CARE is especially pleased that the Roadmap includes an alternative to monetization — the practice of shipping American food overseas and selling it in the open market to raise money for development projects — with direct cash support for programs that address chronic poverty. CARE looks forward to working with Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) as they turn the Roadmap into legislation.

In the past, the United States relied almost exclusively on transoceanic shipments of food aid to respond to humanitarian emergencies. In 2007, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Congressional watchdog, estimated that 65 cents of every dollar allocated for emergency food aid was spent on shipping and handling. The Roadmap calls for a more flexible approach that allows for the use of cash transfers, vouchers or locally purchased food, a crucial step in saving time, money and lives. CARE decided to phase out of monetization three years ago.

''CARE favors humanitarian policies and practices that save lives and at the same time, help break the cycle of chronic poverty and hunger. One way to achieve this is by shifting to local purchase and cash transfers. These practices not only help feed the hungry, they also stimulate agricultural development and trade,'' says David Kauck, CARE senior technical advisor and an expert on food security issues.'' The Roadmap also calls for greater emphasis on addressing chronic hunger through improved nutrition, agriculture and safety net programs,'' says Kauck.

About CARE: CARE fights root causes of poverty in the world's poorest communities. We place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty.